Three cheers for the commentary on backyard firepits ("One person's backyard burn is others' bane," June 20). This informative piece highlighted the hazards of backyard recreational burning, which stresses the environment and jeopardizes our health.

By allowing outdoor recreational burning, cities are violating the property rights of many taxpayers who cannot be outside, even on their own property, when caustic wood smoke blankets neighborhood air.

Where is the justice and logic in this? Cities also have responsibilities to provide access to public spaces for all citizens, including people with disabilities such as asthma.

Wood smoke that invades city streets, parks and sidewalks prevents children and others with breathing disorders from using and enjoying these public spaces. We must press our city council members to stop turning their backs on wood smoke pollution.

We need to restrict backyard recreational fires now. This would provide immediate societal benefits and improve public health. For more information, go to www.takebacktheair.com.

JULIE MELLUM, EDINA

Mellum is the founder of Take Back the Air