Although the number of complaints about open-air burning in urban Belleville were significantly up last year from 2021 the city’s fire department says residents have been generally supportive of the new urban burn by-law after its first year of existence.
At a meeting Monday councillor Chris Malette said complaints were inevitable but people should think about their neighbours and possible health effects before any burning.
“I guess the message is please be respectful, please do it in a responsible manner, and by all means don’t try it without a permit because the fines are significant.”
The fire department says urban burn complaints went up to 136 last year from 95 in 2021.
The department says the increase was likely caused by the fact that urban burning had never been allowed prior to last year and by fire department responses to homeless encampment fires.
