Today is Guy Fawkes night, also known as bonfire night, and the St. John’s Regional Fire Department is encouraging people who want to celebrate to do so responsibly.

Chief Gary Power says it is important to note that most people in the region are required to have a burning permit if having an open fire.

In short, he says without a permit “if it’s an open fire, it’s an illegal fire.”

That can be problematic, he says, because if they are getting calls due to such fires then that is taking away resources from others who need them.

He recommends going to community bonfires organized by municipalities instead.