With another holiday weekend on the horizon, the Chatham-Kent Fire Department is reminding C-K residents that they CAN have a fire using “Approved Burning Devices”.

C-K Fire says Approved Burning Devices do NOT require a Recreational Burn Permit and are therefore exempt from the current suspension.

For further explanation, the term “Approved Burning Device” means a device made from pottery, metal or masonry, with a firebox that is no larger than 60 centimetres or 24 inches in diameter. The device must be located in an area that will not pose a risk for fire spread and that is equipped with an enclosed hearth with a 6 millimetres or ¼” inch mesh screen completely covering the top, or a hearth that is enclosed on all sides that has a 6 millimetres or ¼” inch mesh screen completely covering the top. It may also include an approved outdoor fireplace.

As outlined in the Open Burn By-law Number 107-2016:

A fire in an Approved Burning Device on any privately owned lands is permitted provided that:

– Only clean and dry wood, charcoal or briquettes shall be burned

– The Approved Burning Device is not located on or near any combustible surface

– The fire is controlled such that flames and hot embers do not pose an undue risk of fire to nearby combustible materials

– The Approved Burning Device must provide an effective barrier to the spread of a fire