A frustrated fire chief has told 91原创 Township council he can鈥檛 stop the sale of burn pits in 91原创, even though they are against the law.
Stephen Gamble was responding to questions from council about proposed new fire regulations at the Monday meeting.
The portable metal fireplaces used for outdoor open wood fires are illegal, but they are still on sale in many 91原创 stores, including several large chain outlets.
When the fire department raises the issue with stores, Gamble says they are told the burn pits are being bought for use outside the Lower Mainland in areas where they are still legal.
鈥淭he retailers just won鈥檛 pull them out of the store,鈥� Gamble said.
鈥淚 guess they just sell too many.鈥�
Gamble would like to see the stores at least tell buyers the wood-fuelled burning pits are not allowed in 91原创, where the fine for using one is $200.
Gamble added a commonly-held belief that the pits are allowed for cooking is a myth, as far as 91原创 regulations are concerned.
Gamble said that loophole did exist in another community where he used to work.
鈥淲e鈥檇 show up and they鈥檇 wave sticks with [uncooked] wieners.鈥�
Only propane, natural gas and charcoal barbecues are allowed in Township backyards, he said.
The Township has a zero-tolerance policy on fire pits, meaning an offender will be fined on their first offence.
When Councillor Michelle Sparrow suggested a warning for a first offender would be 鈥渂etter from a P.R. perspective鈥� than a fine, Gamble said the zero-tolerance policy was a response to past incidents where offenders would rack up multiple warnings.
The updated fire bylaws will hike fines for a number of offences, raising the price of failing to post a 鈥渘o smoking鈥� sign when required from $75 to $100, increasing the fine for failing to install smoke detectors from $75 to $200 and hiking the penalty for setting off fireworks without proper permits from $200 to $500.
