With another Summer weekend upon us, many will be heading out to the mountains and campgrounds over the next few days. Here is a list of the fire bans and restrictions for local counties.
LACOMBE COUNTY-FIRE RESTRICTION
Effective July 26, 2024, Lacombe County has removed the total Fire Ban, and has implemented a Fire Restriction for all of Lacombe County. Cooler temperatures and moisture have improved conditions, allowing for recreational fires. Lacombe County will not be issuing any fire permits until conditions improve.
What IS PERMITTED during a Fire Restriction?
• Safe wood campfires *
• Bylaw compliant backyard fire pits
• Portable propane fire pits
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
*Safe wood campfires include those on private and public lands, including campgrounds and recreation areas. They must be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring and comply with Lacombe County’s fire bylaw. Safe wood campfires are required to: a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire; b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fires under control at all times and extinguish before leaving; and c) have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire.
TOWN OF BLACKFALDS-FIRE BAN
The Town of Blackfalds has issued a full town-wide fire ban, effective immediately, due to the lack of precipitation causing dry conditions along with forecasted high temperatures.
The following fires are not allowed within town limits:
1. Open fires using charcoal, briquettes, or wood
2. Any source of open flame (i.e. tiki torches)
The following fires are allowed:
1. Certified portable gas fire pits
2. Certified gas stoves or barbeques designed for cooking
3. Certified cooking appliances utilizing charcoal briquettes or wood pellets on residential property
RED DEER COUNTY-FIRE RESTRICTION
Effective July 11, 2024 a fire restriction is in effect for all of Red Deer County.
Current permits will be allowed to expire and no new fire permits will be issued.
This fire restriction DOES NOT apply to:
a. Fires, which are contained within cooking and heating appliances, and which are fueled by fluids, gases, or wood pellets
b. Fires contained within industrial facilities for operational purposes
c. Safe acceptable fire pits* and enclosed incinerators
d. Approved Gas/Propane fueled fire pits*/stoves/barbecues
e. Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
CITY OF RED DEER-FIRE ADVISORY
Red Deer Emergency Services is asking residents to exercise extra caution due to the dry conditions across the region. Red Deer’s current fire danger risk is Very High, as determined by Alberta Climate Information Services.
With wind, warm temperatures and no precipitation forecasted next week, the dry conditions are likely to worsen. The City of Red Deer will not be issuing burn permits as a result of these conditions.
Residents are asked to do their part to reduce the risk of fire:
- Never throw out cigarettes into easily combustible materials, such as vegetation, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grass mulch, leaves, or similar items. They can easily catch fire.
- Place smoking materials in deep, sturdy ashtrays,
- Never toss smoking materials on the ground, in a garbage, or in a dry, grassy area, as they can smolder undetected for days before igniting a fire.
- Ensure fire pits are properly monitored and fully extinguished.
TOWN OF SYLVAN LAKE-FIREBAN (INCLUDES HALFMOON BAY, BIRCHCLIFF, JARVIS BAY AND NORGLENWOLD)
Effective immediately, The Town of Sylvan Lake has issued a full town-wide fire ban, due to dry conditions and high temperatures.
The following fires are not allowed within town limits:
- Open fires using charcoal, briquettes or wood
- Any source of open flame (i.e. tiki torches)
The following fires are allowed:
- Certified portable gas fire pits.
- Certified gas stoves or barbeques designed for cooking.
- Certified cooking appliances utilizing charcoal briquettes or wood pellets on residential property.
COUNTY OF STETTLER-FIRE BAN
As a result of continued extreme dry weather, high temperatures and wind conditions, a FIRE BAN is in effect for the County of Stettler.
All outdoor fires presently burning within the County of Stettler No. 6 should be extinguished immediately. The ignition of all new outdoor fires is prohibited.
Off-highway vehicles and farming equipment can start wildfires - INSPECT YOUR EQUIPMENT frequently to ensure hot spots are free of debris, and make sure mufflers and spark arrestors are working properly.
This FIRE BAN does not apply to:
- Fires, which are contained within cooking and heating appliances and which are fueled by propane, natural gas or wood pellets
- Fires contained within industrial facilities for operational purposes
- Approved Gas/Propane fueled fire pits/stoves/barbecues
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters
For greater clarity this FIRE BAN includes, but is not limited to:
- Recreational fires
- Burn Barrels
- Discharge of fireworks
- Use of exploding targets
- Charcoal Barbeques
- Any other form of outside burning unless exempted above
PONOKA COUNTY-FIRE RESTRICTION
Ponoka Regional Fire Services has implemented a Fire Restriction effective immediately in their response area (Ponoka County, Town of Ponoka, Town of Rimbey and Summer Village of Parkland Beach) with the exception of the area of Ponoka County west of Range Road 44 which is under a provincial Rocky Forest Protection Area fire ban.
Under the restriction, all active fire permits are suspended, and new permits will not be issued until the conditions improve. In addition, the use of fireworks and exploding targets are also prohibited.
At this time the following is allowed but may also be affected:
·Backyard fire pit and burning barrel (with a mesh screen and attended at all times. Both can heat the ground around them resulting in a fire – water source required)
.Incinerators (for farm & acreage use),
·BBQs (propane/charcoal briquette) and smokers.
·Gas and liquid powered appliances (eg stoves, lanterns and propane fire rings)
Always remember to use extreme caution while using your fire pits, burn barrels and conducting any open burning. An “under control” fire can change in a matter of seconds or minutes. Users are still responsible for the care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans.
CLEARWATER COUNTY INCLUDING ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE-FIRE BAN
A Fire Ban is in effect for Clearwater County.
Under this ban, the following is prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
- Backyard firepits
- BBQ charcoal briquettes
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets
Please report any wildfire or fire to 9-1-1 or call 310-FIRE.