The Dryden Fire Service has been dealing with a handful of outdoor burning violations and this has sparked some concerns.
Dryden Fire Chief Rob Grimwood says over the last two weeks they have noticed a real uptick in the number of open air fires.
Grimwood says there are two options for enforcement.
“We can lay charges under the Provincial Offences Act. That would typically result in a fine of in-between $300 to $400.”
Grimwood notes this option would require staff time if a plea is made in court.
The second option is billing the person under user fees.
“Our user fee has an allowance for us to recover the costs of responding to the call where they were burning outside of the guidelines.”
Grimwood says they prefer education over enforcement.
“Often times if we find somebody is honestly believing that they are within the guidelines or they were unfamiliar with them, we will usually issue a warning the first time. We record which addresses we’ve been to and if we end up their subsequently we pursue the user fees.”
Grimwood adds they do get repeat offenders who just continue to burn in the face of the guidelines.
He says enforcement and cost recovery is something they have certainly done this year.
Councillor Norm Bush is urging the public to follow the rules.
“Our burning permit requirements are there to protect the City and when people choose not to follow them, there are not only putting themselves at risk, in my view, there putting a lot of other people and the City at risk.”
Bush adds “My overall goal is to just protect the community and make people understand that there’s consequences to their actions. Only because of the potential huge impact it has on not only themselves but others.”
Fires are to be ignited no sooner than 2 hours before sunset and extinguished no later than 2 hours after sunrise.
