Log burning

Clue is in the question

A local farmer was burning something this morning and the smoke was drifting towards Sections A B and Co. Maybe that was what you were getting. Most people only burn logs in the evening when people usually have their windows closed. Hope this helps.

We always sleep with open windows, even when it's very cold outside. And the smell starts at 10 - 11 pm. I don't think it's farmers at that time. And it's every single evening. We had the same problem in Belgium. Once it gets dark they start to burn rubbish :-/

Its a little known Spanish Urban Law that prevents any use of bonfires. 

It was introduced by Spanish Parliament a few years ago, nationwide. I cannot remember the Ley number but its easy to find on google.  

In northern territories the Guardia have fined farmers in particular absolute mega bucks like 20-30,000€. After the law was introduced it was certainly very topical in the Costa Blanca newspapers.

A recent journey up the E15 however seemed to contradict this newish urban law in Almeria/Murcia arears, as there was a white smog for about 70km along the motorway. Either side of the motor way stretching across all the visible landscape. It was that bad, disgusting choking smell I had to keep my car aircon on recycle mode. It did not clear until we reached Murcia City.

It really shows contempt of the quality of air we breathe yet the authorities continue to penalize the motorist, particularly diesel and ignore the massive pollution caused by farmers breaking this new law.

But of course you can complain to the Guardia if you feel its that bad. They have to respond to all complaints.

A useful app is available, designed particularly for English speakers that allows you to talk text or access their forum. The app also has preset buttons for complaints on various subjects. 

For instance if you have a complaint, or are being abused and so on there are preset buttons to choose from that you can choose to alert the Guardia either talking or texting. They will know your subject before they answer also your chosen id plus your location. Very useful if you have an accident or are being threatened, or ( complaining about illegal bonfires). If you want the app its called AlertCops. Its run by the Guardia for English.

Good luck with the bonfires, you should not have to suffer. It's very dangerous to your health.

Plenty of info on the World Health Organization website, particularly about the pollution from stoves.

Good post Rascal ,Most wood burners in winter start up about 4 and die down between 9 and ten well mine does .Wood supplied is mostly graded these days to give a clean burn .I would suggest you talk to your neighbours and see if they experience the same problem you have .Try and track down where the smoke /smell is coming from (get a good torch and wander around)I've usually found people are ok if you tackle them direct .What is strange here is they must be polluting themselves also ,as wood burn does get around ones house.Before you go down the route of denouncing someone,see if you can sort this out yourself maybe I'm being Niave but it could be a rented property where the resident don't care about there surroundings. this is a strange one as burning rubbish seems a pointless excercise (easy to drop your waste off at various drop points)it's not giving you much heat either plus wood is cheap enough .Its a no no burning rubbish let us know how you get on .Maybe form a mystery weekend you might not find the culprit but you will make a lot of friends and have a lot of fun.(joke)Just thinking it might be a faulty pellet burner or ,unseasoned pine wood .im just throwing things into the ring that might be worth considering .

Thank you Ivor, your post is informative too.

Actually there is no ' safe stove' you can buy.

Owners of course say they are safe but the WHO website states they are the biggest human killers annually as some 2 million people die each year from inhaling the carsagens from the smoke that comes out of the chimneys. The neighbours being more at risk.

Because;

The offending particles are so small,  less than >5 microns. The stove seals do not protect the users, double glazing seals  does not protect and are ineffective as they cannot seal against such small particles. 

The warning signs are simple " if you can smell it you are already breathing in the carsagens that will stay in your lungs working their fatal magic.

This is not MY opinion but the published scientific medical expert opinion from The WHO.

I was nearly tempted to install a burner pellet/log by an enthusiastic neighbour (who burned anything including pallets - all pallets are impregnated with preserver/insecticide and are deadly) 

After my refusal to install  and after suffering weeks of choking fumes from his burner, I denounced him with the reporting evidence from the WHO. 

He lost. 

Also turned out he did not have the necessary licence or community permission.

I recommend a hose pipe works well on smokey chimneys , if you can reach of course. 

No seriously, have a ' friendly' word with the person putting your health and your life at risk. 

If they are decent human beings they should respond favourably. Most I have found are shocked with the report.

Anyway, if they tell you to get off you know your course of reaction.

Trust this helps. Regards 

I can see where this is going in the forum ,should I buy a log or pellet burner .The question is "what are they burning it's not wood "If you don't like Woodburn smell or its pollution, you have come to the wrong country,except for towns you will not get away from it.try and get to the bottom of where the pollution is coming from first ,or trying to denounce someone without proof will make you look silly .After all "this is Spain".

I have no intention of being controversial, why would I? But people need to be warm and the older people get the more important it is.

 Not everyone living in Spain can afford to install a central heating system which is pollution free. I was brought up in the UK in the 1950's, I remember the smog and miserable living conditions of the North West of England. It was hell but I don't think we have got to that state here just yet. The Industrial Revolution will not happen here.

My wife and I came here to hopefully enjoy our old age and have our family come to visit us whenever they can, which they do, and we can relax in this beautiful country in which we are privileged to live.

I love Spain, the people and appreciate everything this country has given us.

I take nothing for granted.

Viva Espania.

Of course I can smell it if it's not wood, but even if it IS wood it's as bad for the health. And there is a lot of log-delivering going on these days allover the place.