3 years ago
Those increasingly popular fire pits are popular in backyards. But more and more communities are banning them with complaints about smoke. The City of Lockport is the latest to say no to backyard burning.
Lockport Common Council followed the request of Fire Chief Thomas Passuite to prohibit outdoor wood burning firepits, fireplaces, fire bowls, chimeneas or any similar device. The Council also banned outdoor furnaces or boilers.
City Alderman Patrick Schrader says the ban comes in the wake of some residents who did not like smoke coming into their open windows. Some said it caused more health problems, especially for people with emphysema or other respiratory ailments. Schrader says, "A lot of residents call and say somebody is burning something because the smoke is coming in my house, especially in the summer when they like to have their windows open."
Schrader says they have tightened up the city's code with this ban because there is already a concern about such outdoor burning in the Niagara County Health Department regulations.
The Alderman says so far there will be just warnings for those who use the devices. But fines could be down the road for repeat offenders.
Ironically, the new law was also approved by Common Council President John Lombardi who found one in his backyard after his daughter purchased a firepit table for his wife as a Mother's Day present. Says Lombardi, "Now this is gonna make a beautiful planter. What do you think?"
Seriously, Lombardi says he realizes some people may be frustrated after investing in the devices, but it is better to stop it now so it is not a concern down the road.
It is still frustrating for resident Mary Jacka who set up a firepit with her husband in their nicely landscaped backyard. Jacka says they use it perhaps three or four times in the summer and no one has ever complained about the smell or smoke. She says the only comment she ever heard from neighbors was 'they wish they had one.'
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