While one official aims to stamp out Squamish’s campfire permit fee, the community’s fire chief warns the potential loss of revenue could cost taxpayers.
Every summer the Squamish Fire Rescue Service deals with approximately 130 burning complaints, 75 per cent of which relate to ash and people burning materials that release toxins, Fire Chief Russ Inouye said. Most of the calls come in after hours, which quickly adds to a bill that ultimately lands on taxpayers, he said.
“It cost us approximately $10,000 to $15,000,” Inouye said regarding the need to respond to bonfire complaints.
Early this year, council adopted a new Fire Service Bylaw that included a requirement that those who want to have backyard fires must obtain a permit. So far this year 50 Squamish residents have coughed up $30 for the year-long backyard fire permit. The fee generates approximately $6,000. While it doesn’t cover the bill for all the call-outs, it’s a step in the right direction, Inouye said.
The process helps build awareness about being responsible for campfires in one’s backyard, he said. The guidelines mimic the provincial policies, which call for fires to be no larger than half a metre in size and height. Inouye encourages residents to speak with their neighbours before lighting their backyard fires.
“There are quite a lot of people in Squamish with respiratory problems,” he said.
If the fire permit program is about education, it shouldn’t come with a fee, District of Squamish Coun. Bryan Raiser argued. He is proposing to scrap the $30 payment in favour of an online process that would teach people about responsible fire burning. That would allow residents to print out their bonfire permit at any time, Raiser noted.
“The whole point of the permit is to educate people,” he said, adding he’s not convinced that the $30 payment covers the district’s cost of processing the permits.
A free online application is more conducive in today’s society, as it can be done outside municipal hall office hours and takes up less staff time, he noted.
“I don’t see that this would be an expensive thing,” Raiser said, of setting up the online component.
Raiser’s recommendation will come before council on Tuesday (May 20). The district is examining moving the permit applications online, district spokesperson Christina Moore said.
