WHITEWATER REGION — A Whitewater Region councillor is hopeful the fire chief will begin charging people who continue to have an open flame during the burn ban.
“I’ve noticed there have been quite a few calls to the fire department to go to extinguish bon fires in people’s back yards, including in built up areas,” said Councillor Charlene Jackson at last night’s council meeting. “I think it’s very important that until that fire ban is lifted, that there be no open burning of any sort and if we don’t have a bylaw that allows us to charge, I would recommend we put one in place as soon as possible.”
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said the township has a bylaw with a clause that provides for tickets to be issued up to $500 when a burn ban is in effect.
When responding to a fire call now, he noted the fire fighters are educating people about what a burn ban is.
“I think we’re at a point where education has served its purpose and people should realize that Head, Maria and Clara is burning, and they should just be diligent,” he said.
Coun. Jackson questioned if there is anything in the bylaw that would allow the fire department to be compensated for responding to the fires, such as fire trucks and firefighters’ wages.
“Why should the rest of the ratepayers pay for that, when it’s not us doing the burning,” she said.
CAO Tremblay said its part of their fees and charges bylaw.
The $500 is under the provincial offences act, he said, while the other is a deterrent fee.
Coun. Jackson asked if people will be charged now, especially with the long weekend approaching.
“If the fire ban isn’t lifted (by this weekend), you can be sure our fire department is going to be called out,” she stated. “I think enough is enough and they should be charged.”
CAO Tremblay said the firefighters have tried educating the people, and possibly, if the ban is still in place during the long weekend, people can be reminded they can be charged if there is any open flame during the ban.
Mayor Hal Johnson said fires in Sudbury are “unbelievable.” People couldn’t breathe due to the smoke.
“We have to be careful,” he said. “There are circumstances where things are capable, but you have to be able to control everything you do now.
“We’re so dry, even all the rain we’ve had in the last week, there’s been enough new growth in the grass, it’s like early spring, it’s a very big danger.”
