{{Short description|Wood-waste burner}} {{for|the beekeeping tool|Bee smoker}} thumb|right|Beehive burner in Canada
A wood-waste burner, known as a '''teepee burner''' or '''wigwam burner''' in the United States and a '''beehive burner''' in Canada, is a free-standing conical steel structure usually ranging from {{Convert|30 to 60|ft|4=0}} in height. They are named for their resemblance to beehives, teepees, or wigwams. A '''sawdust burner''' is cylindrical. They have an opening at the top that is covered with a steel grill or mesh to keep sparks and glowing embers from escaping. Sawdust and wood scraps are delivered to an opening near the top of the cone by means of a conveyor belt or Archimedes' screw, where they fall onto the fire near the center of the structure.
Teepee or beehive burners are used to dispose of waste wood in logging yards and sawdust from sawmills by incineration. As a result, they produce a large quantity of smoke and ash, which is vented directly into the atmosphere without filtering, contributing to poor air quality. The burners are considered to be a major source of air pollution and have been phased out in most areas. Teepee burners went out of general use in the Northwestern United States by the mid 1970s, and are prohibited from operation in Oregon,<ref name=DEQ>{{cite web |url= https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=1550 |title= Oregon Administrative Rules: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: Division 234: Emission Standards for Wood Products Industries |publisher= Oregon Secretary of State |accessdate= 2012-02-18}}</ref> as well as southwestern Washington State. There are a few derelict beehive burners remaining in California, Oregon, Washington State, and Western Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-15 |title=SWCAA 400, General Regulations for Air Pollution Sources |url=http://www.swcleanair.org/regs/SWCAA_400_Nov15_2009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415160554/http://www.swcleanair.org/regs/SWCAA_400_Nov15_2009.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-15 |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Southwest Clean Air Agency, Washington State}}</ref> The majority of wood waste is now recycled and used as a component in various forest products, such as pellet fuel, particle board, and mulch.
==Gallery== <gallery widths="200px" heights="200px"> File:Balaclava Mill - Sawdust Burner.JPG|Sawdust burner in Balaclava, Ontario, Canada File:Halfwaywigwam.JPG|Wigwam burner in Halfway, Oregon File:Wigwam Burner (Drain, Oregon).jpg|Wigwam burner in Drain, Oregon File:Wigwam Burner (Swisshome, Oregon).jpg|Wigwam burner near Swisshome, Oregon File:Wigwam Burner (Mapleton, Oregon).jpg|Wigwam burner near Mapleton, Oregon File:WIGWAM BURNER AT THE LOUISIANA PACIFIC LUMBER PLANT AT POST FALLS, IDAHO - NARA - 548157.jpg|Wigwam burner at a Louisiana-Pacific lumber plant in Post Falls, Idaho (May 1973) File:Bark burner in Lincoln, Oregon.jpg|Remnant of Wigwam burner in Jackson County, Oregon. (September 2021) </gallery>
==See also== * Air pollution in British Columbia * Clean Air Act of 1970
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite news |url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+BURNER+OBSESSION.(Arts+&+Literature)(On+a+quest+to+preserve+the...-a0101453053 |title= A Burner Obsession |last= Keefer |first= Bob |work=The Register-Guard |location= Eugene, Oregon |via=The Free Library |date= May 4, 2003 |accessdate= 2008-05-28}} * [http://photos.salemhistory.net/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=all&CISOBOX1=wigwam&CISOFIELD1=descri&CISOOP2=exact&CISOBOX2=&CISOFIELD2=subjec&CISOOP3=any&CISOBOX3=&CISOFIELD3=descri&CISOOP4=none&CISOBOX4=&CISOFIELD4=audiena&CISOROOT=all Historic images of teepee burners in Oregon] from the Salem, Oregon, Public Library * [http://www.livinggoldpress.com/teepeetopic.htm Rusty Relics: Teepee Burners]
Category:Environmental issues in Canada Category:History of the Pacific Northwest Category:Incineration Category:Logging