Staff Report (Fire Rescue) - Open Burning Spring 2021

Background

The City of Langford’s Bylaw 1532 to Regulate Burning, Prevent and Suppress Fires and Regulate People at Fires in the City of Langford allows for two burning period (March 15 to April 15 and November 1-15) annually. In the Spring of 2020, there was a significant increase in the number of complaints by residents regarding burning due to COVID, resulting in Council suspending the Spring burn period at the March 19, 2020 meeting. Open burning was then later suspended by the Province as it was determined that the smoke from open fires posed a challenge for residents with respiratory issues and COVID recovery. At the February 2021 Council meeting, Council debated whether to permanently ban open burning and ultimately tabled a decision on a permanent ban until further research can be completed by staff. This report only contemplates the continuation of the open burn ban (as already approved by Council in the fall of 2020) until the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 is declared over.

Commentary

As we are still in unprecedented territory with the COVID-19 pandemic, overall health and well being are on the minds of all residents. Many sources, including Island Health and the BC Center for Disease Control advise that smoke can create complications with those who have respiratory issues, including COVID-19. It can be expected that similar complaints regarding open burning that prompted the suspension of burning in the Spring 2020 will be received as we are still in the second wave of COVID-19 and many residents are still working from home and will be exposed to any smoke produced from open fires.

In May and November 2020, Fire Prevention staff and volunteers coordinated a Community Cleanup Day as a FireSmart initiative to provide residents of properties greater than 0.5 acre an opportunity to drop off their yard waste free of charge as they were not permitted to burn due to the suspension. The events were very successful and helped reduce the amount of fuel on the ground before wildfire season in an environmentally friendly way. Another Community Cleanup Day could be arranged for the Spring of 2021 to provide an alternative to burning should the burn period again be suspended.

Council may wish to consider continuing the suspension of open burning due to COVID-19 until the Public Health Emergency is declared over by the province or proceed with a suspension of the current burn period only.

Financial Implications

Should Council wish to purse another Community Cleanup Day, the approximate cost will be $3,000. A $500 grant from FireSmart Canada is available to help offset some of the costs.

Legal Implications

There are no legal implications.

Options

That Council:

1. Continue the suspension of the open burning policy due to COVID-19, but continue to allow campfires and host a Community Cleanup Day as an alternative to burning for 0.5 acre lots or greater until the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 is declared over;

OR

2. Continue the suspension of the open burning policy due to COVID-19, but continue to allow campfires and host a Community Cleanup Day as an alternative to burning for 0.5 acre lots or greater for the Spring 2021 burn period only;

3. Continue the suspension of the open burning policy due to COVID-19 for the current burn period, continue to allow campfires, but do not host a Community Cleanup Day;

OR

4. Make no changes to the open burning policy at this time and allow the current burn period to occur.

Respectfully submitted

Submitted by:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief

Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement
Approved

Concurrence:
Donna Petrie, Manager of Business Development and Events
Approved

Concurrence:
Marie Watmough, Manager of Legislative Services
Approved

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer