Air Quality in Cumberland
This page was last reviewed on February 23, 2026.
If you use a woodstove to heat your home it’s important to only burn clean, dry firewood to help reduce wood smoke pollution in the fall and winter months.
The effects of wood smoke is made worse in the Comox Valley due to cold season inversions, which trap air in the Valley for extended periods. Small particulate pollution from wood smoke has health impacts even at very low concentrations as the small size of the particulate enables it to enter the human bloodstream.
Disposal of Yard Waste
In 2017, the Village prohibited yard waste fires and some land-clearing fires (municipalities do not have jurisdiction over private managed forest land operations). Residents are encouraged to use the weekly curbside organics collection service to dispose of yard waste.
Burn Smart Tips
Find out how to burn smarter and reduce wood smoke pollution from the BC Lung Association.
Air Quality Advisories
Air quality advisories are sometimes issued by the Ministry of Environment and Island Health. You can sign up to receive air quality advisories by email.
Woodstove Rebate Program
Cumberland homeowners may apply to the CVRD to receive rebates to exchange non-EPA certified wood stoves for cleaner burning options.
Purple Air Quality Monitors
In 2025, the Village of Cumberland provided three free PurpleAir air quality monitors to volunteer residents, funded by a grant from the BC Lung Foundation. These monitors were installed in selected neighborhoods to help better understand local air quality conditions. The sensors measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5), tracking how PM2.5 concentrations vary in our neighborhoods over time. If you would like to contribute to expanding the local network, PurpleAir sensors can be purchased directly from PurpleAir. They require a USB power source and access to wireless internet.
Visit the PurpleAir map to view real-time air quality data from monitors installed throughout Cumberland.
Moisture Meters
The Village of Cumberland has moisture meters that residents can borrow free of charge. Moisture meters are used to determine whether firewood is dry enough to burn. Wood must have a moisture content of 20% or less to burn.
To borrow a moisture meter, stop by the Village Office.
Air Quality Resources
For information about air quality topics, including wood smoke and health, rebates, the venting index, how to dry firewood, and how to burn in a wood stove, see:
- Comox Valley Regional District Air Quality
- Comox Valley Regional District’s Wood Smoke Reduction Program
- Fortis BC – Rebates for Natural Gas Appliances
- BC Air Quality
- BC Venting Index
Installation of Wood Stoves (Solid Fuel Burning Appliances)
Find more information on installing a wood stove in Cumberland.
Woodstove Burning
Improper use of woodstoves, such as burning wet wood and use of inefficient/old stoves leads to poor air quality, which has a negative effect on health.
The graph below shows the average fine particle emissions by type of heat source:
