Fire Chief Kent Readman. Screenshot
You will now need a permit to have a campfire in the City of Dryden.
Council has approved changes to the Open-Air Burning and Campfires bylaw, which now requires a one-time permit for a campfire, which comes at no cost to the applicant.
Fire Chief Kent Readman says, “The permit process allows us to ensure each person that’s going to have a fire, reads and understands the bylaw. They have to click-off that they’ve done that, and we would use this as an educational tool.”
Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt says the new rules are not only aimed at fire education and keeping the community safe but engaging residents.
“To find out at any given moment what the status is from a fire restriction standpoint. Conditions from a fire prevention standpoint. The conditions that they are dealing with before they light a fire, whether it’s a campfire or otherwise.”
Under the revised regulations you will also need a permit and inspection each time you decide to burn brush or grass.
Councillor Shayne MacKinnon was the only one to vote against the revamped bylaw at Monday’s open Council meeting.
He states the wording opens the door to immediate fines.
“Now we’re expected to pass more laws rather than just undertaking some education for the community. I think this boils down to education. I don’t think we need any more bylaws.”
MacKinnon adds, “I realize that right now we are probably headed for a fire-flap, unless we get some substantial rain, but I still think that this is something that the fire department, if they want to. undertake the education on this and go without the bylaw.”
Chief Kent Readman says this doesn’t mean enforcement officers will be going out to immediately issue fines.
“If it’s an honest mistake and people aren’t aware of things or it’s someone that’s very willing to work with us, absolutely that educational aspect is important to us and working with our community members. We’re about keeping our community safe, not about necessarily charging people.”
Readman says the bylaw makes it easier to issue fines to someone who is blatantly disregarding the burning rules or is a repeat offender.
He adds, “Not everyone’s going to have a permit tomorrow or this weekend. If they have a campfire this weekend, you know this is an educational opportunity to work with the residents of Dryden, just to make sure that they are aware of the new processes and things like that.”
Readman notes there were a lot of inconsistencies in the old bylaw, and it was hard to read.
Shayne MacKinnon states, “I have no problem with a warning. As long as it’s entrenched in the bylaw itself because otherwise, we’ve become subjective. So, if people are going to be on the wrong side of this bylaw, I think everyone should be treated equally.”
Visit Dryden Fire Burn Permits for more details.
