City officials get hundreds of complaints every year about firepits, said aldermen Joe Ceci. Those complaints range from the size of the fire, to what's being burned and how late revellers are allowing their fires to crackle.

Ceci says one in five properties in Calgary has a firepit or portable burner.

"I get complaints from people who say their quality of life, their lifestyle is being impacted by a backyard firepit adjacent to them. I just can't tell that person to stay inside, close your doors," he said.

Ceci and Bob Hawkesworth plan to ask city council Monday to revisit the bylaw governing firepits and have city staff come up with a report by March.

"We all need to get along," Ceci said. "If permitting a firepit is another way of showing that there is ... an interest in getting along because we live so close to each other, then maybe we have to do that."

Ceci said another option is tighter controls, such as shortening the hours backyard fires are allowed or restricting them to weekends. The city currently allows burning seven days a week, 15 hours a day.

Calgary resident Janey Kinnley said she is so asthmatic it's sometimes hard just to walk from one room to another.

Her puffer never leaves her side and when there is smoke outside, she must stay inside. She said this August and September have been especially difficult.

"There were fires burning in this area for 31 days. That meant I was trapped in my house for 31 days and you don't know what it's like till you're a prisoner in your own home."

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW

Thanks for participating!

Be the first to recommend - Sign in now


See what other people are recommending - Popular Stories