Time to purchase fire permits  

Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer

A reminder from the Municipality of Sioux Lookout that fire permits are required for certain types of burning, starting April 1, the official start date of fire season in our region.
Bob Popovic is the Emergency Services Manager and Fire Chief for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. 
As Popovic notes, “A valid fire permit is required year-round. A fire permit for burning brush is $10 and a fire permit for an incinerator is $10.” 
So, what about backyard fire pits? 
Popovic clarified that, “During the fire season, a fire permit is not required for a small, contained fire supervised at all times and used for cooking or warmth as provided in Regulation 207/96 under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.”
Popovic went on to explain, “Under the Forest Fires Prevention Act, and in accordance with Municipal By-law No. 11-04, with a valid fire permit, brush piles consisting of branches, limbs, stumps or parts thereof, may be burned as long the fire is no greater than two metres in diameter and two metres in height. The incinerator material to be burned shall be limited to wood or by-products of wood only. Treated or painted wood is not permitted to be burned.”
Being caught burning without a permit could lead to a costly fine, as Popovic notes. 
“As per By-law No. 11-04, Municipal Fire Service Officer, Municipal By-Law Officer, OPP, and Conservation Officer of the NDMNRF are authorized to enforce the By-law where a potential fire danger exists.  The officer would start with education of the By-law and regulations, and if required the officer may rescind the fire permit and/or issue a fine of $155.  A Conservation Officer may issue a fine under the FFPA as well.”
Fire permits are available for purchase at the Finance Department located in the Municipal Offices at 25 Fifth Avenue, during regular business hours.
For more information visit https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/living-here/burning-permits.asp.