N.L. fire ban regulations clarified

While there was some early confusion surrounding the government of Newfoundland and Labrador's open fire ban on the island portion of the province, Minister Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair in Labrador, says nothing has changed for the Big Land.

On Thursday, Dempsterposted on Facebook to clear up the confusion for Labradorians.

"Yes, you can still continue to have your 'Labrador boil-up,'" Dempster said in herpost.

"Fire regulations have not changed. The purpose of the advisory is to remind folks that you are not permitted to burn debris cleared from your land, etc. Historically, 80 per cent of forest fires in our province have been started by people, so please continue to practice safety at all times."

On Friday, Gerry Byrne, the minister of fisheries and land resources, the department responsible for the fire regulations,told CBCNews the initial government public advisory issued on Wednesday covers both the island and Labrador.

Byrne also said backyard fireplaces, such as those surrounded by stone or steel to contain flames and sparks, are still fine to use, including at cabins.

Fires on sand or gravel beaches and in gravelpits are also OK, Byrne said, with adequate water readily available.

Bynre said the fire ban has been in place for 30 years, but the provincial government issued the advisory earlier this year due to severalgrass fires in the Codroy Valley area of the province.

"First responders have had to call out, and that's the big part of this," he said.

"They risk life and limb whenever they go out on a call. Well, this year they've got a unique, a very serious concern over and above that. They risk contracting COVID."

The actual ban is on lighting fires on forest land or within 300 metres of forest land without a permit no different from the last 30 years.

Byrne said the agricultural industry is exempt from the ban to, for example, clear fields by burning.

You don't need a permit for an open fire on forest land;however, if you are in a national, provincial, municipal or privately owned park with a designated fire area, including RV parks, Byrne said, rules still have to be followed with adequate water about 18 litres on hand.

But he says some changes are being made for the better.

Under the province's regulations, all backyard and cabin fire units are supposed to be on legs or supportsand elevated off the ground. Those that aren't have been illegal during fire bans for 30 years, Byrne said.

The minister said he plans to change the regulations to allow for all home fire pits to be legal.

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