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Coun. Hilary Gough said the time limit was not a perfect solution, but it addressed concerns she has heard from residents about the duration of backyard fires.

“That for me is a concern and I think six hours is plenty,” Gough said.

Coun. Darren Hill got support for exploring restrictions on wood burning in new neighbourhoods in favour of gas-burning devices, in an 8-3 vote. Council rejected by an 8-3 vote an attempt by Coun. Ann Iwanchuk to get city hall to study a city-wide phasing out of wood burning outdoors.

Hill said he rejected the idea of imposing time restrictions and preferred to get the fire department to focus on enforcing the existing bylaw. He then pitched the 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. hours as a compromise.

Council tried to impose a midnight curfew nine years ago, but it failed in a 6-5 vote. Council heard from citizens who were split on whether people should have freedom to do what they want on their property or whether those with health and environmental concerns should take precedence.

Iwanchuk said it’s time for a discussion on phasing out wood burning throughout the city, likening it to restrictions on smoking due to health concerns.

“I love to sit around a firepit as much as the next person,” she said.

Council heard the existing bylaw on backyard fires is difficult to enforce. Usually firefighters are dispatched to investigate backyard fire complaints, which often involves sending an entire fire crew in a truck, since firefighters can’t be separated from the equipment in case an emergency call is received.