While the ongoing pandemic has resulted in many changes to life in Guelph, one thing has not changed: burning your yard waste is still against the law.

Guelph fire Chief David Elloway says the fire department saw four calls over the weekend for illegal fires in the city — much higher than what has been seen in prior years around this time.

“The one underlying theme from this year is it's not people sitting around roasting marshmallows or something,” he tells the Mercury Tribune.

“It appears to be actually disposing of yard waste.”

According to the Guelph Fire Calls Twitter page, the Guelph Fire Department has been sent out to 12 illegal fire calls since April 1.

Due to COVID-19, public drop-offs at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre have been suspended until further notice, with curbside yard waste pickup planned for next month.

At this time, the city is asking residents to hold on to their yard waste until that curbside pickup or, alternatively, mulch leaves and grass and leave them on your lawn, or top up your green cart with any yard waste aside from grass clippings.

Open air burnings are banned within city limits, with fines as high as $50,000 for individuals on first offence, and up to $100,000 for any subsequent offence.

Elloway says in Guelph, a typical first-time fine is between $300 and $500.

“That is a significant fine for doing something we can easily avoid by waiting for the curbside pickup of yard waste,” he adds.