The Provincial Government is reminding residents to ensure bonfires are conducted in a safe and legal manner on Guy Fawkes Night (Sunday, November 5).

While residents are encouraged to attend a community-sponsored event, those having private bonfires need to ensure compliance with municipal and provincial laws. Contact your municipality, local service district, Inuit Community Government or local fire department for more information.

It is illegal to openly burn plastics, tires, asphalt products, paint products, used oil, household garbage and treated wood.

In areas where bonfires are permissible, residents are advised to have ready access to fire extinguishing tools and supplies, and are cautioned to take the following steps:

• Fires should be on a gravel base eight to 10 metres from trees or structures;
• Flammable liquids should not be used to start or accelerate a fire, and aerosol cans and pressurized gas cylinders, such as propane cylinders, should not be added to a fire;
• Only adults should add material to a fire, and children should be kept at a safe distance at all times;
• Property owners in the area of a fire should ensure all combustible materials are properly secured;
• Ensure the fire is fully extinguished using water and/or gravel, and the bonfire area should be cleared and returned to its previous condition.

-30-