Other cities limit open-air fires to certain hours. Should Saskatoon?
The city isn't saying either way, just presenting options to city councillors
City councillors are being floated a number of options for potentially limiting people's use of open-air fires.
The suggestions, which fall short of official recommendations, range from limiting fires to certain hours of the day to requiring permits and inspections of fire pits.
"Although consideration could be given to limiting days of the week where burning is permitted, this was not a trend in other municipalities," the city noted of one more drastic step.
The review comes at the request of the city's community services committee and after concerns were raised by the local mother of an asthmatic boy about the effects of secondhand smoke from wood-burning fires.
The city has also consulted the Saskatoon-based Lung Association of Saskatchewan on the issue.
$90 inspection fee?
Saskatoon currently allows burning 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The city notes that out of 23 other major cities reviewed, 15 either ban the burning of wood entirely or require the permission of local fire chiefs.
Some cities require a permit and inspections of pits, which the City of Saskatoon suggests could be charged at $90 here.
Limiting burning to the hours between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. is also suggested.
Association points up cleaner options
"We hope city council will make an informed decision and support cleaner burn options like other progressive municipalities across Canada," said Jennifer May, the lung association's vice-president of health promotion, via email Sunday.
The city does note that natural gas or propane fire pits have become more common and available and, if properly used, produce little or no black carbon.
The Saskatoon Fire Department dealt with 192 complaints about smoke or improper burning last year, including 10 complaints related to one single location. The largest chunk of misdoings verified by the department had to do with people burning inappropriate materials.
The community services committee is slated to talk about the potential limitations Monday morning at city hall.
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