Campfires could again be lit in a pair of residential areas during open burning season in Spallumcheen.
Staff has been asked to prepare an amendment to the fire department and fire prevention bylaw that prohibits campfires and all other open burning in the R.1 residential single family and R.5 residential manufactured home community zones.
The open burning went into effect Jan. 1.
“When we changed the bylaw, the intent of the ban wasn’t to remove campfires, it was changed to no open burning whatsoever and that includes campfires,” said Coun. Christine Fraser. “Cook stoves are exempt (from the bylaw) and we assumed campfires were exempt but they’re not.”
Outdoor cook stoves and cooking food in grills and barbecues are exempt from the bylaw.
“It’s a minor thing that was missed,” said Fraser. “It’s not a big deal in McLeod subdivision to have a campfire in the winter.”
The township website shows maps of McLeod subdivision, Udy subdivision and the industrial park, Head Road, Larkin Cross Road and McLeery Road that are included in the R.1 and R.5 zones.
Fraser had a copy of the City of Vernon’s open burning bylaw which included a definition of what makes up a campfire.
Spallumcheen staff will scrutinize that bylaw and adjust it to fit the township’s proposed bylaw amendment.
