North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services is dealing with many more dumpster fires than usual.
In his monthly fire fighting activities report for August, Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac noted that for the year to date there were 29 garbage bin fires. That's up from 13 in 2010.
The summer months have proven particularly bad. In August alone there was nine fires, and seven in July. May was another bad month, with nine dumpster fires.
This spike is in spite of all recent city efforts to try and to down on dumpster fires, including the introduction of rollout bins in one neighbourhood that are supposed to prevent such fires. As well, there was the successful apprehension of dumpster fire suspects last year, with one caught in the act on video and arrested.
While the fires have not caused widespread damage beyond the contents of the bins, the phenomenon has proven a nuisance for fire crews who are constantly called to douse them.
The rise concerned Councillor Trent Houk at North Battleford's municipal services meeting Monday. He wanted to know how much it cost the fire department each time it has to fight a dumpster fire. Houk speculated it had to add up over time. MacIsaac promised to report back at next month's municipal services meeting.
MacIsaac described the dumpsters as targets because they often contain flammable materials such as cardboard.
Councillor Ray Fox, chair of the municipal services committee, asked the fire chief what the appeal was for people setting these dumpsters on fire.
MacIsaac described it as a "thrill crime" where perpetrators get a kick out of seeing emergency crews sent to a scene. He also noted dumpster fires are a widespread problem in several communities, including in Thompson, Man. where he served before.
