Unexpected fire bill from MD contested

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 heard from MD resident Tom Toney at their meeting on Tuesday, October 11.  Toney, who lives in the Beauvais Lake area, expressed his discomfort at appearing before the council.  "I'm typically not a confrontational type of individual," he said.  Toney said he felt it was necessary to approach MD council after he received an unexpected $3,200.00 bill from the fire department.
note: $ amount of the bill was reported incorrectly and has been corrected

Toney explained he had purchased some pasture land a number of years ago, and that there was a collapsed cattle shelter on the land that he wanted to clean up.
"This spring offered the perfect opportunity," he said.  He further explained that the grass was green and wet at the time, and that there was a light breeze blowing from the east at about 3 km an hour.  He said he checked the area for any debris that might pose a danger.  He said he called the fire department in the morning, and asked for a fire permit so that he could dispose of the remains of the collapsed shelter by burning it.  He further said he filled out a 10-day fire permit, signed it, started the fire the same day, and checked on it intermittently while performing various chores around his property.

He said he was first aware there was a problem when his neighbour let him know that the fire department had been present to put out a fire.  Upon contacting Fire Chief Dave Cox he said he was told Cox was unaware that a fire permit was in place. He further stated that in his incident report Cox said that the fire posed no threat to surrounding area.

"I feel this is unwarranted, that I bear the burden of this bill," Toney told the council.  "I hope that rational minds prevail.  I tried to be as responsible as possible."  Toney also questioned the size of the bill, wondering how it could cost so much to put out a small fire.

After questioning Toney about some of the details surrounding the incident, council told him they would discuss the issue later in the session, which they did.
It was decided council would read the documentation provided by Toney, talk with Chief Cox, and read any other relevant documents before coming to a decision.  The issue was therefore tabled until the scheduled November 8 council meeting.