Saskatoon city council to consider pitch for fire pit registry

City council willconsider a report Mondayfromthe Saskatoon Fire Department on a way to regulate open air wood burning backyardfire pits.

It suggests the fire department establish and manage a fire pit registry. It would not include propane or natural gas fireplaces.

"The application process would require owners to submit pictures and dimensions of the fire pitand to declare that the property owner understands the requirements for the safe and responsible use of an open-air fire," the report said.

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The plan also suggests ways to handle fire pits in existing neighbourhoods, versus future developments.Essentially, it would prohibit wood-burning fire pits in future neighbourhoods.

The report says that this could all be managed within the fire department's existing staff and budget.

Council will also be considering a proposed 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.window for fire pit use.

Wayne Rodger with the Fire Department said the registry would be useful because it would give the city a clear picture of how many fire pits are in the city, where they are located and, significantly, whether they meet the standards laid out in the bylaw.

"It would certainly allow [us]to have a first-hand look at open air fires before they even get used," he said, "so we could have some comment on size, or the type of container they're using even before they get started."