The City of Port Alberni won’t entertain a year-round outdoor burning ban until curbside yard waste pickup is established, city councillors decided on Monday.
Members of the Air Quality Council last month asked the city to consider a year-round ban to address air quality concerns in the Alberni Valley.
“Over the years the city has taken a number of steps to improve air quality and reduce emissions,” fire Chief Tim Pley told council on Monday. The Port Alberni Fire Department deals with backyard burning issues within city limits.
“The air quality council has identified that the next natural step would be to further restrict outdoor burning or to ban outdoor burning year round.”
Currently, outdoor burning is allowed between Oct. 15 and April 15.
“This coincides with our weather patterns that promote poor air quality.”
Pley had presented three options to city council: do nothing; implement a further partial restriction or ban outdoor burning completely.
Pley noted that past councils had so far chosen the first option.
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