After over a month, Chatham-Kent residents will be able to enjoy a fire in their backyards again.
The municipality has lifted the recreational fire permit ban.
Fire Chief Chris Case made the announcement during Monday night's council meeting. Burn permits were initially suspended on April 1 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We've done a great deal of work in our operational procedures. The command staff have been able to supply themselves with a comfortable supply of [personal protective equipment]. With that in mind, as of mid-day [Tuesday], we will be lifting the suspension of open-air burn permits," said Case. "Up to this point, the municipality had issued 81 burn permits. People will be free to utilize their open-air burn pits and apply for other permits as of [Tuesday afternoon]."
Mayor Darrin Canniff called the announcement great news.
If you already have a valid permit from 2019 -- they are valid for 12 months -- you don't need to apply for a new one yet. If you want to apply for a new burn permit you can:
- - Scan and email application to ckinfo@chatham-kent.ca; a customer service representative will call for phone payment; a permit will be emailed to you
- - Mail the application and payment to Customer Service 315 King St. W, PO Box 640 Chatham, ON N7M 5K8; a permit will be mailed to you
- - Drop off application & payment to a municipal centre drop box (Blenheim, Civic Centre, Dresden, Ridgetown, Tilbury, Wallaceburg); a permit will be mailed to you