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

Residents are encouraged to attend a community-sponsored event, but for those who choose to hold a private bonfire, please ensure you are complying with municipal and provincial laws and contact your municipality, local service district, Inuit Community Government or local fire department for more information.

Residents are advised that it is against the law to openly burn plastics, tires, asphalt products, paint products, used oil, household garbage and treated wood. In areas where bonfires are permissible, residents are cautioned to take the following steps:

• Fires should be placed 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 the fire, and children should be kept at a safe distance at all times and closely supervised by guardians around a bonfire;
• Property owners in the area of the fire should ensure all combustible materials are properly secured;
• Bonfire organizers should ensure ready access to fire extinguishing tools and supplies; and
• Once finished, the fire should be fully extinguished using water and/or gravel and the bonfire area should be cleared and returned to its previous condition.

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Media contact
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca