Fire Permits
Burning Permits are NOT required for SMALL CONTAINED CAMPFIRES. Remember to keep campfires to a small and manageable size (1 meter, or 3 feet, high by 1 meter in diameter) Don’t burn garbage in your campfire.
Burning Permits ARE required for INCINERATORS and UNCONTAINED OPEN AIR burning from April 1st to October 31st. Permits can be obtained free of charge, by clicking the link above, calling or visiting the joint municipal office located at 903303 Hanbury Rd.
Volunteers
The Kerns Volunteer Fire Department is always looking for individuals interested in joining the fire department. If you’re interested, please contact the Fire Chief Mark Lenover. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:00 p.m. at the Kerns’ Fire Hall.
Smoke Alarms
Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working smoke alarms. Homeownders must ensure that smoke alarms are installed between sleeping and living areas. They are also required to maintain the smoke alarms in working order. In rental accommodations, the obligation to install and maintain smoke alarms in operating condition rests on the landlord. Landlords must also provide smoke alarm maintenance information to the occupant of each unit.
It is an offense for any person to disable a smoke alarm. This requirement applies equally to homeowners, landlords and tenants. Failure to comply with smoke alarm requirements of the Fire Code can result in a minimum fine of $200. For further information about smoke alarms, contact the Fire Department.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors (C0 Detectors)
It’s the law to have a working C0 Detector outside every sleeping corridor. C0 detectors must be installed in any dwelling that uses fossil fuels (wood, gas, oil, and propane). This law took affect as of April 15, 2015. Please keep in mind that if you have an attached garage, even if you are not using fossil fuels, you need to have a C0 detector in your house. For more detailed information on the C0 Detectors, please visit the fire marshal’s website at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
Remember, the best line of defense is to protect yourself and your family even before the call to 911 is made; once the call is made, sometimes, it’s too late. Please make sure your fire alarms and your C0 Detectors are in working order and installed where needed. Homeowners should make a home escape plan and practice it every 6 months; it could save your life.
Ash Pails
Please remove ashes from the house as soon as one cleans their fire box out. CO is given off from these ash pails and fire departments are getting calls due to the C0 detectors going off.
Burning of Windrows
Information on burning of windows may be obtained from either the fire department or MNR.