Posted:
Tuesday, April 15, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) wants to remind residents that beginning today municipal burning is not allowed in many parts of HRM.
Last month, the Department of Natural Resources eliminated the need to obtain a provincial burning permit for open-air burning. Instead, the province is now asking that people look at a colour-coded burning-restriction map before burning brush or lighting a campfire (http://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/burnsafe/).
Despite the provincial changes, the rules for burning in HRM remain the same as previous years.
Burning – including campfires – is not allowed in HRM between April 15 and Oct. 15 on land that receives both municipal water and municipal sewer service.
If the property does not have both municipal services then burning is allowed during this time period.
If you are in a part of HRM that allows burning from April 15 to Oct. 15 there are specific rules that have to be followed during a controlled burn or campfire. Those rules can be found at halifax.ca/fireprevention/Burning.php.
HRFE will still monitor weather conditions and other factors throughout the burning season to determine if burning bans are needed in HRM. Please check the HRM Media Room (www.halifax.ca/mediaroom/pressrelease/releases.html) for up-to-the-minute burning bans issued by the municipality.
The use of outdoor fire places (Chimineas etc.) is allowed in HRM with certain restrictions. The fire place cannot sit on a wood deck, has to have a protective screen, and has to be a minimum of 4.75-metres (15-feet) from a home or accessory building.
Residents should be aware anyone convicted of failing to have a copy of the burning permit in their possession, or failing to follow the posted rules while burning, can be fined between $100 and $5,000. In addition to fines, anyone convicted could also be ordered to pay all expenses or damages incurred as a result of a fire that spreads out of their control.
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