The City of Quebec issued on Friday a notice of temporary ban on the use of any solid fuel appliance until further notice. This measure remains in effect even though Environment Canada has withdrawn its smog warning for the region.
Earlier in the day, Environment Canada reported that air quality in the Quebec capital was reduced by high concentrations of pollutants
.
The smog advisory was lifted early this afternoon, but Friday’s air quality still presents a high risk
.
The City of Quebec maintains its ban so as not to harm it further. From Friday, she calls for the collaboration of the population in order to limit as much as possible the period when the air is loaded with contaminants harmful to health
. This measure does not apply to buildings whose heating relies entirely on a wood heating appliance.
What is a solid fuel appliance?
According to the City of Quebec website, this is any device designed to burn a solid fuel, such as wood, wood pellets, coal or any other fuel other than those in gaseous or liquid form.
The fireplaces concerned are those intended for heating, such as stoves, built-in appliances, wood-burning furnaces or boilers, or those used for ambient purposes such as decorative wood-burning or masonry fireplaces, even if it is certified.
Furthermore, since April 2023, it is obligatory for residents of Quebec to declare all solid fuel appliances. This same regulation also prohibits the installation of new non-certified decorative or ambient fireplaces. These can no longer be used from 1is September 2030.
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Smog in winter in Quebec. (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Cimon Leblanc
The City first resorted to its municipal by-law governing the use of wood stoves last February, following an episode of poor air quality.
Wood heating is the main source of fine particles contributing to winter smog
according to Environment Canada, i.e. higher emissions than industrial activity and transport for example.
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