LETTER: Clearing the air about backyard burning in Sooke

Re: District of Sooke answers burning questions (Oct.24 issue). Never does the district or the article in the newspaper mention the bylaw that requires burning to be at least 20 feet from the property lines. It wasn't mentioned in last year's reminders to the residents either.

Our neighbours on Rhodonite Drive already burned their trash several times in October right next to the property fence. And they do it regularly, polluting the air in the neighbourhood, John Phillips Park, and increasing emissions in the city.

If the district cares about the quality of the air here and the quality of the residents' life, why don't they buy a wood chipper, collect garden waste, chop it, and sell it back to the residents as mulch?

At least, make it clear that backyard burning must be (according to the bylaw) done 20 feet from the property lines.

Nina Leshinskaya

Sooke