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Town council votes to remove limit on fire-burning permits

October 19, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Orangeville council Monday night revisited the recently passed bylaw regulating open air burning and opted to remove a provision limiting issuance of permits to one per month.

At issue was a provision stating “That the holder of a permit be limited to one fire per month, and that the permit holder be required to notify the Fire Department four days in advance of any fire and post the burn permit in a visible location.”

Councillor Scott Wilson, who had originally put forth the idea of limiting households to one outdoor fire per month, saw his contribution removed from the final bylaw.

Opposition to the clause was led by Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock, who felt that while the 2006 bylaw was reasonable,  it would need better enforcement. He made it clear that he would not support an initiative that included the restriction to one fire per month.

Mr. Wilson was visibly frustrated by the entire entertainment of a burn bylaw. “I do not support the bylaw, period. I think people should be able to have fires.”

Councillor Don Kidd shared an opposing view. He believed “there should be no outdoor fires within the four walls of Orangeville.”

Councillor Wilson said he believed that “a limitation on the number of fires would be a compromise for many.”

Residents present for the meeting shared that the  effects of the smoke include choking, runny nose, and dizziness.  Many people have respiratory issues, while others experience severe allergies. One said that although the fire department was very responsive when called, “Backyard fires should not be infringing on other people’s health.”

In the end, the motion to enforce the number of fires and the need to notify the fire department prior to burning was removed from the bylaw, while references to setbacks from sensitive receptors, which include hospitals and long-term care facilities, will remain in the bylaw. Burning hours within the town of Orangeville will now be between 6 and 11 p.m.

Councillor Sylvia Bradley, who chaired the outdoor wood burning committee had previously remarked that it was “not a back yard wood burning issue.  This is a clean air initiative.  People have the right to clean air and smoke does not recognize property lines.  We have a responsibility as a society to ensure people can breath and to protect our environment.”

The bylaw with the offending clause removed was passed by council.

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