Within the past few days, I spent some time going up and down the alleys between Charles St. and 1st Ave. on the north side of town. Alleys provide an opportunity to see what people have in their backyards. I was very disappointed to see so many firepits and chimnea. If you don't know what a chimnea is, a picture is on the left. They are also called outdoor fireplaces. They really are nothing more than portable air pollution contraptions.
I would estimate that more than one-third of the houses on some blocks had firepits or chimnea. No wonder this city is so smoky. I saw one of these things in the driveway of a house down the block recently. I've never seen that household have a fire before. It looks like we may be getting yet another recreational air polluter in the area. Just what this city needs.....