KFR seeking input on an open-air burning bylaw

A new bylaw has been proposed to address concerns surrounding open-air burning in Kingston.

Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) is seeking input on an open-air burning bylaw aimed at clarifying and enforcing compliance when, where and how open-air fires are allowed in Kingston, the City of Kingston said in a statement released Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.

“We have been getting more calls about open-air burning and are having to address many misunderstandings about what’s allowed. This proposed bylaw will help better define in advance what is and is not acceptable,” said Ted Posadowski, Chief Fire Prevention Officer.   

Go to GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca to offer your input on these three aspects of the proposed bylaw:

• Permit types 
• Regulations for each permit type  
• Acceptable fees associated with each permit type 

The input will be incorporated into a proposed bylaw for Council’s consideration in October with an eye to implementing a final bylaw early in 2021. 

Other than the Ontario Fire Code, there is no municipal bylaw to effectively regulate compliance of open-air burning, read the statement. An open-air burning operating guideline has been in place since Aug. 7, 2013, but it presents a challenge for residents, first responders and fire inspectors and often leads to conflict between neighbours around what is acceptable open-air burning.

According to the City, the fees from permits issued under the proposed new bylaw will be used to educate residents about open-air burning rules.