Following the advice of the Town’s fire chief, Comox council decided to continue to enforce a bylaw and not allow gas beach fires in Kye Bay, despite a request by a resident.
At the July 4 council meeting, Fire Chief Gord Schreiner explained beach fires have not been permitted on Kye Bay for many years, but a bylaw does allow for ULC-approved gas fire rings on residential property providing there is at least two metres clearance from combustibles and is supervised by a person more than 16 years of age.
At its June 20 meeting, council received a request from a resident to allow gas fire rings (similar to the those allowed in the community of Oak Bay), similar to what is allowed at Point Holmes.
Schreiner said allowing fires could cause “significant problems” in the Kye Bay community.
“My concern would be allowing the fires would encourage other people to have wood fires. Oak Bay does it, but they do have a 24-hour, full-time staffed fire department. We just don’t have the resources for it.”
Coun. Russ Arnott suggested “it’s worth a shot for a month and a half” to approve an amended bylaw and allow fires for the remainder of the summer and review the results afterward.
Mayor Paul Ives said he thought it would be best to allow gas fires on personal property.
“That’s where it should stay.”
The motion to amend bylaw #1856 was defeated, with Couns. Russ Arnott and Ken Grant voting in favour.