Fire Chief Cautions Residents About Open-Air Fires

With the warm season approaching, residents of Strathroy-Caradoc are reminded of the risks of unauthorized open-air fires.

Fire Chief Tom Gibson reminds residents of urban areas of the Municipality that burning of yard waste is strictly prohibited by both provincial legislation and municipal bylaw. If a complaint is received and the fire department is dispatched, a fee of $410.00 per fire vehicle may be charged to the offender or property owner.

Leaves, grass clippings and garden waste are accepted at no charge at the Strathroy and Mount Brydges Transfer Stations.

Recreational fires, such as campfires, are allowed as long as property owners follow the bylaw and:

• Burn clean, dry seasoned wood between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and midnight only.
• Confine campfires to a non-combustible container or a pit no larger than 2 feet by  2 feet (60 centimetres by 60 centimetres) in size, and confined to a location that provides for a minimum distance of 10 feet (3 metres) in all directions from adjacent properties and combustible structures or objects. 
• Take steps to ensure that adjacent properties are protected and that the byproducts of open air burnings do not have a negative impact on persons, pets or the environment.

The burning of brush in rural parts of the municipality is allowed, subject to the conditions of the bylaw.

The Open Air Burn By-Law in its entirety is available from the Office of the Fire Chief, can be viewed on the Strathroy-Caradoc Fire Department website, or may be downloaded below.

Attachments

• By-Law 17-12 Regarding Open Air Burning
• Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Burn Policy