Advice On Domestic Rubbish Fires

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 11

Advice On Domestic Rubbish Fires

Garden and other rubbish 1 fires qn domestic property should not be allowed to smoulder: they should be lit with dry wood or some other ■ dry fuel to ensure rapid heat production. All material ! should be placed on the fire 1 in small quantities to. enable • rapid drying and combusion; . says the New Zealand Clean Air Society. Wherever possible organic ' rubbish should be buried on ' the section or properly composted. Where these methods are not possible it should be disposed of at an authorised tip, most of which are open at week-ends, the society says. However, where a rubbish fire is considered necessary a suitable incinerator, or container should, be used. Fires should not be lit in the late afternoon or evening as usually the atmospheric dispersal of smoke is at a minimum 1

l at this time. They should be - lit round the middle of the k day and then only if it is

clear or sunny. Fires should not be lit on ' windy days because smoke '■ will be carried a long way horizontally before it rises ■ clear of buildings. Every effort should be made . to ensure that all material is i as dry as possible. Wet rubbish should be spread out to : dry before it is placed on the i fire.

The fire should not be close to a building or high fence. Besides the danger from sparks, down-draughts will keep the smoke low for long periods, causing a nuisance to neighbours.

Old clothing, rags, rubber, paintwork or plastics should not be burnt on rubbish fires as all these can smoke and cause smells. Some plastic materials when burnt can produce poisonous gases.