Nanaimo Fire Rescue has advice to reduce woodstove related fires. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

fire prevention

Woodstoves should be in good working order as temperatures drop: Nanaimo Fire Rescue

Oct 18, 2025 | 8:44 AM

NANAIMO — Woodstoves are less commonly used these days, however those relying on the traditional heating source are urged to maintain them properly.

That message from Nanaimo Fire Rescue deputy fire chief Stuart Kenning as we’re well into the fall season.

He said their department occasionally responds to wood-burning appliance related fires during the cooler months.

“You don’t want to overfill the woodbox and just let it smolder all night, you want to basically have a hot, clean fire all the time,” Kenning said.

Creosote buildup from unclean woodstoves is an issue that needs to be addressed, Kenning said.

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He also recommended using only clean, dry wood, and having units occasionally inspected.

Kenning said woodstove usage has steadily gone down in recent years, pointing out wood-burning to heat homes is much more prevalent in rural areas.

“The City of Nanaimo is more of a metro style department now with more urban areas, so we’re seeing less and less woodstoves being used in the city.”

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