Mr. Smith is not alone in not understanding the burn ban now in effect (Letters, Dec. 30).

I live in a development near Maple Falls in Whatcom County and we also got the news of the new outdoor burn ban. Burning some brush to me is not so much a health hazard as is the thick evening fog and the use of wood stoves. I am not saying curb wood stoves, I am saying address more the fact of burning on days and nights when the air quality is poor because of the low overhead such as fog.

Wood stoves were not on the ban list but I think they should have been handled first before banning burning branches. I know wood stoves are a huge saver on the power bills every year and yes they sure helped when we had no power for days, but my point is why ban burning outdoor limbs? Why not just restrict all of what is burned outdoors. Under cover of dark you can hide the smoke of wood stoves on no burn days. By the way I have a neighbor who burns garbage in the wood stove. You want a health hazard? Smell that some cold winter night.

J. Vaughn

Maple Falls