Council to vote on rules for fire pits

A decade after city council voted against imposing a curfew on backyard fires in Saskatoon, the current council is expected to vote on a proposal to limit burning to six hours daily. A council committee on Monday voted in favour of a proposal to prohibit the use of backyard wood-burning fire pits outside the hours of 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The planning, development and community services committee voted against two other proposals: one to require permits for backyard fires, and one for an outright ban on burning wood in new neighbourhoods. Another proposal for a sunset clause on permits was withdrawn.

“I do agree with the time limit,” Mayor Charlie Clark said. “You need to respect your neighbours.”

Whether or not city council will approve of the proposed time limit at its Dec. 18 meeting appears uncertain. Only two councillors on the committee voted with Clark for the 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. hours: Coun. Bev Dubois and Coun. Hilary Gough.

Coun. Zach Jeffries proposed the hours of 4 p.m. to midnight during the week and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Jeffries and Coun. Darren Hill voted in support of those hours.

A report from the fire department shows Saskatoon has fewer restrictions on backyard burning than 23 other cities, 15 of which either ban backyard fires or require a special permit, while others either restrict the hours when burning is allowed or set out a minimum distance from structures and trees.

Saskatoon’s existing bylaw prohibits burning of certain materials like garbage and sets standards for burning receptacles.

Councillors asked assistant fire chief Wayne Rodger why no fines were issued in 2016, when 192 complaints were lodged. The fire department issued 10 warning tickets, but found 62 instances of burning banned materials and 38 instances involving fire pits that did not meet regulations.

“You should be issued a ticket if you’re blatantly disregarding the bylaw on burning,” Hill said.

Rodger said he estimated the

total cost of responding to complaints about fire pits at about $890 an hour. Since most complaints come in the evening, an entire fire truck and crew are sent to such calls because they must remain together in case an emergency call comes in, he noted.

The fine for a first-time violation of the bylaw governing fire pits is $250. Dubois alone voted in favour of introducing $90 permits for backyard fires. She and Hill voted to restrict backyard fire pits in new neighbourhoods to propane or gas burning devices.

In an interview, Dubois said she will consider another avenue for trying to get city council to approve a permit requirement. The burning of wood has come under increased scrutiny over its effects on health and the environment.

When city council voted on a proposed midnight curfew for backyard fires in 2008, it was defeated by a 6-5 vote. Clark voted in favour, while Dubois and Hill voted against it. No other members remain on council from that time.