[andriamanitra]

In many rural/remote locations – especially off the grid – heating with wood (or oil-based products) is the only way to survive the winter. It isn't necessary to cut down entire forests to produce wood either – if you own some forest it is largely a byproduct of cutting down dangerous/dead trees and clearing ones that fall down naturally.

Burning wood only becomes unsustainable when it is done on a commercially viable scale.

[cmrdporcupine]

The problem with wood burning is particulates in the air. Even the cleanest burning stoves produce too much, both internally and externally.

(I live rural and have a wood burning insert and a fireplace. I don't use them much anymore.)