A few citizens have lit a fire under city council to get them to review open air burning in the community.

Fire chief John Klie recently sent correspondence to residents reminding them of the current bylaw regarding open air burning.

And a few have written back saying something needs to change.

Glenn Stenson said the bylaw should be brought to modern standards and not make it difficult for people to sit in their backyard and enjoy a fire in Kitimat’s inclement weather.

Austin and Patricia Byrne wondered if there were similar restrictions on wood stoves as those also create smoke.

They suggested the option of people requiring permits which stipulate the time of backyard fires and the sort of appliance it has to burn in.

Councillor Bob Corless moved to have the matter reviewed by the fire chief for recommendations, but said that he actually feels the current ban is appropriate.

“It is my feeling at this time there should be no open air burning,” he said. “Many people have spoken to me about it, there’s quite a few people with asthma and they have no control over their neighbours that are perhaps a block away or two blocks away.”

Mario Feldhoff proposed a friendly amendment for the matter also to be reviewed by the advisory recreation commission.

“The bylaw ... was put in place way back when people were burning trash and what-have-you and a lot of the activity that takes place with fireplaces is social, and controlled.”

He said he’s curious to see what the ARC comes up with and thinks there must be a way to back off from strict interpretation they have at the moment.

The following excerpt from the bylaw outlines the current regulation:

Kitimat Code, Part 5 (Police and Fire Regulations), Division 2 (Fire Protection and Control)

Subdivision 1 - Fires

5.2.1.1 - No person shall at any time light, ignite or start or knowingly permit, allow or cause to be lighted, ignited or started, any fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air except where such a fire is used in any appliance or device solely used for the preparation of food, or in a National Fire Protection Association approved incinerator, and except as provided in 5.2.1.2 herein and as provided in Section 11240.