As chilly fall weather sets in, Creighton residents are now allowed to enjoy the warmth of a backyard fire.
Creighton town council recently approved a bylaw to permit open-air fire pits on residential property provided a long list of regulations is met.
“We had a number of people approach us about wanting to…have the ability to have fire pits, so we talked about it and decided that with some fairly strict regulations that we would allow it,” said Mayor Bruce Fidler.
Inspections
Key to the new bylaw, Fidler said, is the fact that all fire pits will be subject to inspection and approval by the Creighton Fire Department.
Fidler says he knows of a few residents taking advantage of the bylaw and is sure many others will follow.
Prior to the implementation of the bylaw on Sept. 10, no open fires were allowed in Creighton. Under the bylaw, only charcoal briquettes and clean, dry wood may be burned.
Any Creightonite wishing to use a fire pit must obtain a permit from the town office. Among the many rules that must be followed: pits cannot be in front yards and need to be at least 10 feet away from buildings and combustible items.
The bylaw also protects neighbours by requiring fires to be immediately extinguished if they cause “unreasonable interference” with the use of another property.
Ban continues
Across the border, Flin Flon continues its long-standing ban on fire pits on the grounds that they pose too great of a risk.
“If you eliminate as many ignition sources as you possibly can, your likelihood of a major fire hitting your community is diminished,” said Fire Chief Jim Petrie.
Petrie said Flin Flon residents are allowed to use an outdoor cooking appliance provided certain safety rules, including the fire being 10 feet away from all combustible objects, are met.
He said the outdoor fireplaces sold at hardware stores are often not meant for cooking. These units also tend to come with instructions to check local fire bylaws before use.
Petrie said he hasn’t responded to any violations of the Flin Flon bylaw lately, but in years past he has had to issue warnings.
He’s not sure if people are still violating the bylaw unbeknownst to him.
“But if they are, they’re taking their own chances because” they will be charged accordingly, said Petrie.
Under the new bylaw in Creighton, fines for breaches are set at $300 for the first offence, $400 for a second and $500 for each subsequent offence.
Denare Beach also allows fire pits. Residents with questions about the village’s rules in this regard are asked to contact the village office.
