Open-air burning, including campfires, is now permitted as of Jan. 1 through a new bylaw in the urban area of the Municipality of Port Hope.
The previous bylaw, in place for more than a decade, only allowed open-air burning in the rural area of the municipality.
A free permit is required and can now be applied of online at porthopefire.burnpermits.com.
Northumberland 89.7 spoke with Port Hope’s director of protective services and emergency management Jason Williams about the changes to the burn bylaw and permit system. He said it’s important for the fire department to know when controlled burns are occurring.
When Fire and Emergency Services respond to a non-compliant fire, there is a fee of $100 for a first attendance and $500 for any subsequent attendance within six months.
