City Councillor Chris Alemany wants to clear the air.
Alemany and the municipal air quality committee initially pushed for an end to backyard burning and rebates for homeowners to install high efficiency woodstoves, and are now going after rural slash burns.
He and the local air quality committee have been lobbying the provincial government to update open burning laws, with considerable success.
He said land clearing and slash burns are affecting people with asthma and other breathing problems, but improvements are on the way.
Alemany said after 2 years of lobbying, the BC Government has agreed to tighter regulations around slash burns in residential areas and in problem airsheds like the Alberni Valley.
He said the new rules come into effect in January, and he hopes to keep pressure on forest companies to end slash burns around the valley and find better uses for post-harvest residue.