Bridgewater bans fires for fun Outdoor burning now limited to cooking food by Lisa Brown BRIDGEWATER — For anyone with a Bridgewater address and an outdoor wood stove, it's time to place a classified ad. Those devices are now against the rules after town council passed a new fire protection bylaw September 24. The bylaw restricts burning in the town with exceptions for “the cooking of food” in certified portable barbecues, grills or fireplaces. New guidelines govern the location and size of such fireplaces and stipulate that only “dry seasoned fire wood” or charcoal may be burned. Fireplaces and wood stoves within buildings are permitted, as are wood furnaces that are inside or attached to buildings. There are also exemptions for the fire department and for religious or ceremonial purposes with a permit. The town had been reviewing rules governing burning since 2010, when a resident called for tighter restrictions saying the smoke in her neighbourhood was negatively impacting her health. The new bylaw carries fines ranging between $250 and $5,000. A person in charge of a fire may also be required “to pay all expenses incurred in controlling or extinguishing any fire which gets beyond control, is in danger of doing so, or extends to the lands of others.” Council passed the motion approving the bylaw without comment. LETS STOP THIS CRAZY LAW SO THOSE OF US NEVER HAVING ABUSED THE PRIVILEGE AND NEVER HAVING ISSUE CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR BACK YARD MARSHMALLOW ROASTS AND WEENIE ROASTS. WHY SHOULD ONE PERSON'S DISLIKE CAUSE AN ENTIRE TOWN TO SUFFER?