Free open air burning gone - new user fees now in effect

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services is introducing fees for new open air burning permits, effective today.

That means, starting today, it's going to cost  money to get or renew a permit for a fire.

Existing permits are still valid for the specified duration of the permits.

Fire Services has issued the following news release.

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Effective March 26, 2012, Fire Services will implement user fees for Open Air Burning Permits.

User fees associated with burning permits will include $25 for newly issued permits, $15 for annual permit renewals, and a $10 fee for weekly permits. 

These user fees will help Fire Services offset costs associated with issuing Open Air Burning Permits.

Residents can phone our new burn permit line at 705-949-9898, or come into Number 1 Fire Station at 72 Tancred Street to renew or obtain a new burning permit between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Depending on call volume, callers may be placed in a queue until an operator can process the request.

Payment can be made over the phone with a credit card, or directly at the office using a credit card, debit card, cheque, or cash.

The residents of our community are asked to strictly adhere to Fire Services’ guidelines associated with open air burning, and be mindful of the movement of errant smoke towards your neighbours.

Failure to do so will result in permits being revoked for 90 days or permanently, and/or fines up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to one year or both.

Given the current dry conditions, the possibility of a burning ban exists, and the community is asked to pay close attention to various news sources for changes that could occur regarding open air burning.

Fire Chief Marcel Provenzano asks the public “to be patient through this transitional period, as we undertake a new method of processing open air burning permits.”

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