The practice of burning flax stubble, which has been a common sight and smell in the Weyburn area in recent weeks, can cause a whole array of problems, says Weyburn's Fire Chief.

"I really don't agree with it," says Dennis Pilon. "Often what happens is the smoke becomes a real problem for people as far as breathing, and anyone with lung problems, such as asthma, is affected. It also affects drivers on the highway. Sometimes the smoke can hang there for hours and hours."

It also affects the Weyburn Fire Department, who inevitably receive a small number of calls every year for stubble fires that burn out of control.

So far this fall there has been only one out of control field fire, Pilon says. Two weeks ago a fire spread from a field onto CP Rail property, and burned several railway ties. The farmer will be held liable for these damages.

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management has responded to a number of complaints about stubble burning with a pilot program to raise awareness about the risks, and to ask farmers to burn only as a last resort.

The program also promotes not burning at night, because the wind generally tends to slow down at that time. This, coupled with moisture in the air, can cause the smoke to hang around much longer than during the daytime.

Both requests may be easier said than done, says Weyburn agrologist Elaine Moats.

The reason farmers burn flax straw is because the fibres don't break down in the soil. While cattle producers can bale it for use as a wind break or let it sit over a period of years and then feed it to their cattle, grain farmers have fewer options, she explains.

Also, burning during the day, in windier conditions, makes it more difficult to burn the rows out while avoiding a total burn of the field, Moats points out.

One solution is chopping the flax straw during combining and spreading it evenly on a field. Newer seeding equipment should be able to seed through this cover, although older seeders will act like a rake when going through the material.

"While you don't like to see people burn stubble, it's also a balancing act with the financial reality of how to deal with the material," Moats adds. Burning is a very cheap method, while tilling or chopping costs time and fuel.