If burning such a health hazard, why seniors still alive?
I suppose you are expecting a reaction to your editorial about backyard burning. Firstly, what do you consider is a backyard? Are large acreages considered thus? What jurisdictions do not affect pristine Duncan. Malahat? Lake Cowichan? Where is the line in the sand?
As one who has to deal with large volumes every year, because we have mostly trees on our hectare of property, we have no option but to burn. We used to be able to do this during the wet months but the CVRD, in all its wisdom, decided to only allow two periods for burning.
We are told that, in order to prevent forest fires, we should clean up any debris on the forest floor and around one’s dwelling. This we do, because with so much damage from windstorms, snow loads and the effects of root rot, we are overwhelmed with how much accumulates. Once we start cleaning up, it does not take long to have a large amount to deal with. Once piled, we cover it and have to wait for one of the burn times. This amount cannot be composted as you suggested. There is not enough room and it would also be a potential fire hazard. Neither can it be taken to a transfer station, as we do not own a large dump truck. One very large branch at time, in our SUV, does not cut it. Too much spent on fuel.
Now, if the CVRD were to implement a spring and fall clean-up, they would need some very large equipment to pick up, not just ours, but from all the large property owners in the Valley. This will result in higher taxes, because there is no budget for this. They could create another function, like the housing and water ones, and have some private group financed to the tune of $750,000.
If burning is such a health issue, why are there so many senior long term residents? By your estimation, they should never have survived this long.
Rather than this issue, you might want to tackle the bypass around Duncan, so those of the surrounding jurisdictions don’t have to put up with the snail’s pace of traffic and having to breathe in exhaust fumes. Tit for tat.
Ed Aiken
Cobble Hill
