As chairperson of the Mill Bay Fire Protection District, I would like to address the ever-increasing number of smoke related complaints that are coming into our Fire Department.

Everyone must realize that it is the mandate of the fire department to assist and intervene as necessary to protect people and property from fire and certain other types of incidents and trauma. The fire department has no power or authority to address matters related to air quality. If your neighbours are burning yard waste, or clearing land, and are not endangering forests, lives, or property, please do not dial 911, and do not call out the local volunteer fire department.

The demands placed on the time of these dedicated volunteers is already extreme, as they respond to almost 300 calls per year.

Air quality and issues related to residential burning, slash burning, and burning for the purpose of clearing land, are all matters that are regulated by regional, municipal, and provincial governments.

If you have complaints or concerns related to smoke and air quality, please direct your calls to the appropriate government agency.

David Slade
Chairman, Mill Bay Fire Protection District