As I write this (Wednesday, Jan. 17 ), many people are experiencing power outages in our area. Luckily for my family, we have a wood stove in our home and a supply of clean, dry wood. This is part of our family emergency plan. Several of our family live in rural areas and have only electric heat. They know they can come here to stay warm and fed, should power outages persist.
It is true that we sometimes burn wood even when there is no emergency. This helps us keep our electric bill down a bit in winter. Fixed incomes do not change, but utilities do tend to increase yearly.
Wood stoves also allow for value added to the logging industry. Go and walk in an area that has been logged. You will be surprised how much of this precious resource remains on the ground after the marketable logs have been hauled away. Let the wood cutters in. They will make an income for their families, clean up the woods and provide people like us with heat and comfort.
Oh, the lights are flickering; better bring the wood in, just in case.
Valerie Pujo
Parksville