Skip to content

Northwest Fire Centre urges caution with open burning

Burns Lake Fire dept.is called to dozens of open burning incidents every year.
Northwest Fire Centre urges caution with open burning
In 2010 the Burns Lake Fire and Rescue Department was called out to a major grass fire in the Gully.

The Northwest Fire Centre is encouraging the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities, due to an increased wildfire risk.

Burns Lake fire chief Jim McBride said that each year around this time, the Burns Lake Fire and Rescue department receives a “dozen or so calls” from residences that have allowed their grass burning exercise exceed their capacity to control.

“More so with grass burning than any other form of outdoor burning,” he added.

According to McBride, some of the common mistakes people make include burning in high winds, burning prohibited substances, using inadequate fire-fighting tools and water resources to extinguish fire, and burning with no supervision.

As spring progresses, dead grass dries out quickly in snow-free areas due to wind, lack of precipitation and increased temperatures. Weather conditions at this time of year are highly unpredictable and can change markedly throughout the day. Anyone wishing to light an open fire must monitor weather conditions and follow all burning regulations to help reduce the number of preventable, human-caused wildfires.

If an outdoor burn escapes and causes a wildfire, the person responsible may be held accountable for damages and fire suppression costs.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

Burns Lake has a bylaw in place for open air burning regulations - Bylaw 915, 2010. According to the bylaw, no person may start an open air burning on a parcel of land unless the person holds a valid burning permit. Fire pits do not require a permit as long as they meet all the requirements set out in section 10 of the bylaw. For more details about Bylaw 915, 2010, visit http://office.burnslake.ca/mayor-council/bylaws-and-policies/

As of May 1, 2015 you must obtain a burning permit from the Village of Burns Lake. The cost is free.

The Northwest Fire Centre encourages people to take the following precautions:

* Do not burn during windy conditions.

* Ensure that enough people, tools and water are on hand

* Create a fire guard at least one metre in diameter around the planned fire site

* Never leave a fire unattended;

* Make sure that your fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch