The city's Community Service Committee is expected to approve a new open air burning by-law in an effort to bring the city in line with legislative requirements during their meeting on April 18th, 2016.
"In the past, many back yard fires did not comply with legislative requirements and were placing the home owners as well as their neighbours in jeopardy. Also, when a complaint was called in the fire department was required to send out vehicles and firefighters as if they were attending a "structure" fire. That often meant up to 15 volunteer firefighters in the outlying area who were required to respond, incurring a great deal of cost to the city. On many of the calls it was found that the backyard fire did not comply with the requirements and was indeed unsafe.", Ward 5 Councilor Robert Kirwan explained in a Facebook post this morning.
"In many cases, residents were not even aware of the rules they were required to follow prior to the firefighters responding. However, this still resulted in significant cost to the city every time a complaint came in"
Once passed the, the new by-law will require residents to obtain a permit before during in permitted. The fees, as approved in last November's budget process, will be; $50 for a full year, $10 for a week and will include a $25 annual renewal fee if you want renew your annual permit.
"The site visit will also include an inspection of the homeowner’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. This will ensure compliance with the related provincial legislation, and further ensures the safety of the residents and the responding fire personnel in the event of an occurrence.", Kirwan continued.
"This new open air burning by-law is not being implemented to limit the ability of residents to enjoy back yard fires. It is necessary in order to ensure that back yard fires are done safely and in accordance with the legislative requirements. Many residents are under the mistaken assumption that open air burning is a right and not a privilege granted by the Fire Chief under the authority of the Fire Prevention and Protection Act. The new by-law will bring order to open air burning without limiting the ability of residents to continue to enjoy this privilege as long as they follow the law."