HAMILTON, ON – April 12, 2005 – Hamilton Emergency Services continues to encounter problems with firefighters having to respond to improper or illegal open air burning in the City of Hamilton.
Last year, Hamilton Emergency Services responded to 376 calls relating to open air burning, and have responded to over 30 calls of this type so far in 2005. These emergency responses needlessly tie up firefighters and fire trucks when they could be required at life-threatening emergencies happening elsewhere in the city at the same time.
Open air burning is only allowed in the rural area of the City, as set out by the Official Plan for the City of Hamilton. Citizens must obtain a permit for any open air burning being conducted. The guidelines for approved open air burning practices and limitations are detailed on the back of the permit.
“Anyone who burns leaves, scrub or does any other kind of open air burning without a permit or does not follow the guidelines for safe open air burning, runs the risk of the fire getting out of control,” says General Manager/Chief of Hamilton Emergency Services Jim Kay. “This could result in severe injury or damage to neighbouring properties.”
Failure to follow the proper guidelines and limitations, or conducting open air burning without a permit, could also result in the owner being billed for the cost of the responding fire crew and apparatus, or even being charged under the City of Hamilton Open Air Burning By-law, or the Ontario Fire Code – a fine of up to $25,000.
Last year the Fire Prevention Division issued over 300 warning letters to property owners for illegal or improper open air burning.
For information on the rural/urban designations, or open air burning, contact the Fire Prevention Division of Hamilton Emergency Services at (905) 546-2424 ext. 1380.
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For more information, please contact:
Robert Simpson
Fire Safety Officer – Public Information & Education
Fire Prevention Division
Hamilton Emergency Services – Fire
Phone: 905.546.2424 ext. 7769
Pager: 905.312.1912
Cell: 905.961.9109