HEAT'S ON GROW OPS

New Fire Marshal Known for Weeding Out Pot Producers

TORONTO -- As fire chief in Niagara Falls, Ontario's new Fire Marshal
garnered a reputation for helping police tear down marijuana grow ops
through his aggressive approach to fire prevention.

Although he says he is taking aim at fire hazards, not drugs, Patrick
Burke is expected to have an impact on grow ops and drug labs across
the province when he steps into the provincial role today.

"All we're interested in is the correction and prosecution of blatant
fire code violations," says Burke, who served with the Windsor fire
department for 34 years before becoming chief in Niagara Falls in 2002.

Since adopting a "zero tolerance" approach to fire safety years ago,
Burke says the Niagara Falls fire department has levied some $1.5
million in fines under the Fire Prevention and Protection Act. That's
in addition to Criminal Code charges laid by police.

While not all the fines pertain to grow ops or clandestine drug labs,
Niagara Falls firefighters have helped dismantle more than 100 such
operations in the last 2 years.

Hydro Schemes

A serious fire risk as a result of the chemicals, heat lamps and
elaborate hydro bypass schemes, grow ops also pose a health and safety
risk to neighbours and enforcement officials who enter them.

"It wouldn't matter to me if they were growing marijuana or tomatoes,"
Burke says. "If they bypass hydro and they're not complying with all
of the requirements of the (fire) code, than we're going to act."

Since the fire act was amended last year to target marijuana grow
houses, penalties have doubled.

Individuals now face fines of up to $50,000, a year in jail, or both,
while corporations could be on the hook for $100,000.

As far as Burke is concerned, the charges shouldn't be directed only
at those producing the drugs. Landlords, superintendents and property
management companies all share the blame.