City cautions against burning

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This article was published 08/05/2018 (2179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach fire chief Kel Toews issued a notice on Tuesday to city residents, noting that with an exceptionally dry spring that residents should refrain from having any fires until conditions improve.

While the burning of household waste, commercial waste, and rubbish is never permitted within city limits, residents are normally allowed to burn yard waste (garden refuse, grass cuttings, hedge clippings and leaves) in May and October.

Steinbach has no bylaw to implement and enforce a burn ban.

City manager Troy Warkentin noted to city council at a committee meeting on Tuesday that burn bans are generally used by rural municipalities, though some urban centres have bylaws allowing for the option too.

He shared that any fires that have occurred in Steinbach recently would not, according to the fire chief, have been avoided as a result of a burn ban. That said, Warkentin added Toews has suggested that having a burn ban would allow for consistency with the approach of neighbouring municipalities.

Council agreed that it would be appropriate to review its current rules and consider if updates are necessary.