It seems like an easy decision to make. If backyard fire pits are being used illegally so often, why not make it legal?
Amherstburg town council is working on amendments to its bylaw governing open air burns, or backyard fire pits and campfires, but Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says for every person who is in favour of allowing it, there seem to be just as many people against it.
"The bulk of it revolving around health issues," he says. "If we do allow it there will have to be a consideration for neighbourhoods where you have people with health issues."
Fire Chief Bruce Montone is aware of the concerns of those opposed to loosening the rules, and DiCarlo says before council approves any amendments, it will hold a public meeting.
"People with health issues have told me we just shouldn't even bother because it's such a slippery slope and we're going to end up with more enforcement issues than we've ever had," says DiCarlo.
But the fire department says responding to neighbourhood complaints is proving costly. Over a three-year span, firefighters have been called out 133 times to police backyard campfires, an expense that added up to $40,000.
DiCarlo admits he is taken aback by the passion on both sides of the debate.
"It's been quite a polarizing issue," he admits. "One of my most commented posts on Facebook so far."
The town still has to set a date for the public meeting.
