No changes to Sudbury's backyard fire bylaw

Sudbury's fire chief has recommended tokeep the city'sopen air burning bylaw as it is.

Trevor Bain told city council on Tuesday that he believes enforcing current fines will suffice in addressing campfire complaints.

"I'm confident that over the rest of the year that the fire service should be able to, if need,address complaints," Bain said.

The current bylaw outlines the size and location of backyard fires.

City council was considering a $50 permit for lighting outdoor fires, but it backtracked on the idea in a previous meeting due to public outcry.

The money from the proposed permit was supposed to go towards recovering the cost whenfire servicesresponds to irresponsible backyard fires.

"Is it just a case of us not applying the fines that were in the existing bylaw?" councillor Mike Jakubo asked.

Fire chief 'confident' compliance will be achievedwith current fines

Bainadmitted therewas a practice in the past of tellingpeople to put their fires out instead of enforcing fines.

But that is changing.

"I think we need to just simply address the individuals," Bain said.

"The repetitive persons who are causing these things from happening. As a result, we'd achieve compliance through fines and I'm confident we can do that."

Bain said fire services will continue to monitor the need for a bylaw change.