City cracks down on urban bonfires

Sault Ste. Marie City Council agreed last night to impose new restrictions and punitive measures to curb yard fires.

The new anti-burning measures, as presented by Assistant Fire Chief Paul Milosevich, include a minimum fine of $150 for violations, restrictions as to the time of year and/or time of day that burning is permitted, and stepped-up education efforts.

Councillors have been hearing complaints from constituents whose neighbours are enjoying backyard fires, says Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers, who felt that the measures approved last night didn't go far enough.

Myers wanted City Council to look into banning outdoor fires outright, citing the expense of putting them out and the discomfort they cause neighbours.

"We've got people trying to pretend we're at a cottage when we're on Plaintree Drive about three feet from our neighbours," said Myers. "Meanwhile we've got people trying to use their solar dryers and the smoke and soot is just pouring all over their clean white sheets."

Ward 3 Councillor Pat Mick disagreed with Myers, saying that most fires are small and don't have a lot of smoke.

"People invest a lot in their homes, can't afford a cottage and live on large lots in relatively rural settings," Mick commented. "They like to enjoy a backyard fire sometimes and are considerate of their neighbours."

Ward 1 Councillor Steve Butland said that many local businesses are selling backyard fire containers and they are a popular item.

Banning such fires in such containers would be difficult while they are being sold and the ban would be unpopular among people who already own one and those who sell them.

Milosevich said that as long as there are fires, there will be complaints and a need to respond to those complaints.

Top among his recommendations is one to increase education about and enforcement of safe, considerate backyard burning.

"People need a permit for recreational fires," said Milosevich. "They should know that by now."

The Ontario Fire Code requires that all open-air burning be approved by Fire Services.

If someone complains about a fire, a fire crew or one of the the City's four fire prevention officers have to respond.

Once on the scene, if the fire is not permitted or somehow violates the conditions of the permit, it will be extinguished and further steps may be taken.

One of those steps may be imposition of a fine which City Council last night set at not less than $150.

"Fines are a tool, one among many," said Milosevich. "The goal is public safety."

Another punitive action available to and used by Fire Services is to deny fire permits for a period of no less than 30 days to people found to be burning without a permit.

Sometimes Fire Services members find themselves in the role of mediator between neighbours, especially when the permit is in order and there don't appear to be violations, he said.

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services has undertaken an extensive education campaign to inform people about the need for a burning permit for backyard recreational fires and the department has issued fines for burning without a permit or not following permit guidelines.

The restrictions don't include barbecues or cooking fires, he said, but the definition of a cooking fire is largely discretionary.

Open-air burning for cooking purposes must be supervised, small, confined and on a grill or barbecue says the Ontario Fire Code.

"First of all, the fire department has to respond to every complaint," Milosevich said. "If we show up somewhere and they've got a package of marshmallows and some hot dogs but most everyone is just sitting around with their feet up, that's not going to wash if they try to tell us it's a cooking fire."

A fire permit is free and lasts for up to a year.

To get one, call Fire Services (705-949-3377) during business hours to arrange for a fire prevention officer to visit and inspect the site.

Don't call for a fire permit the day before you want to have a fire, because there are only four officers and they only do site visits on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For more information on open-air fire permits click here.