Health and Safety

The City of Kitchener, ON, still allows burning wood in backyard campfires (firepits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces) in small residential backyards.

Under the new proposed by-law being voted on in March 2013 (effective April 1, 2013, if approved) fires could burn in Kitchener backyards from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The setback to property lines or flammable objects would continue to be only 5 m.

Waterloo's solid-fuel, open-air ban came into effect on January 1, 2012. It is not legal to burn wood in firepits, chimineas or outdoor fireplaces in backyards in that city. Prior to the ban, the required setback was 10 m.

Cambridge has banned backyard campfires from residential properties since 1986. Cambridge has a burn permit system, however, a 150 m. setback to buildings is required for proper dispersal of smoke before it leaves the property.

Kitchener residents deserve public health, public safety and environmental protections that only a ban will provide.

It is unacceptable to expose unwilling neighbours to secondhand wood smoke pollution. We should also be able to enjoy our yards and houses between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. without having to smell smoke.

As per The Region of Waterloo's wood smoke position statement, wood smoke is a health hazard for everyone but especially harmful to children, elderly people, and residents with respiratory, cardiac as well as other health problems.

The time is NOW to stop the air pollution caused by these backyard wood fires burning in the name of fun.

The health of the citizens of Kitchener should not be compromised by wood smoke pollution.