News Release

Brush/Grass Fires

(Tuesday, April 19, 2005) - It is illegal to burn brush without a burning permit in Halifax Regional Municipality and in many areas of HRM, burning is not permitted at all.

During the past few days Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency has been experiencing a rash of illegal burning. Burning illegally will constitute a summary offence ticket costing $215.00. Repeat offenders could be fined up to $5000 or 60 days in jail. It is a criminal offense to purposely light a fire and destroy personal property and therefore will result in charges of arson under the Criminal Code Act.

It was stated in the Herald yesterday, that HRM would be doing a major pick up of old brush in the near future. This was incorrect and should have stated, “residents may place 5 armload size bundles alongside their green cart for collection. Bundles are collected throughout the year, not just springtime.” For more information on collection services, please refer to www.halifax.ca/wrms, or page 606 in your Aliant yellow pages, or call 490-4000.

Please visit our website at www.halifax.ca/fire for more information and links on the Open Air Burning By-law, or call 490-5619.

www.halifax.ca/legislation/bylaws/hrm/blo103.pdf
www.halifax.ca/legislation/adminorders/ao33.pdf

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For further information contact:

Mike LeRue, Divisional Chief
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency
490-6574