Airdrie is no longer under a fire advisory heading into the Victoria Day long weekend.
The advisory, originally issued May 2 in response to hot, dry and windy conditions, has since been lifted. As of early Friday morning, the City had not issued a formal statement acknowledging the change.
However, the advisory no longer appears on the City’s "Current fire bans and advisories" webpage, and Airdrie is no longer listed on the Alberta Fire Bans map as being under any advisory.
The change comes as weather conditions across the region continue to shift. Environment Canada is forecasting cooler, unsettled weather through the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms possible on Friday and Saturday, a cloudy Sunday, and clearer skies expected Monday. Victoria Day is expected to reach 18 C under a mix of sun and cloud.
While fire danger has dropped, regulations remain in place for all outdoor burning in Airdrie. The rules are set out in Fire Services Bylaw No. B-18/2018, which governs fire pit construction, burn permits, and fireworks use within the city.
Backyard fires are permitted but must meet specific criteria. An acceptable fire pit must be located at least three metres away from buildings, fences or other combustibles. The pit can be no taller than 0.6 metres and no wider than one metre at its largest opening. Enclosed sides made of brick, concrete block or heavy-gauge metal are required, along with a metal mesh spark screen with openings no larger than 1.25 centimetres. Only clean, untreated wood may be burned.
Clay fire pots and freestanding commercial fireplaces are exempt from some specifications, but are still expected to be placed on a non-combustible base and operated with appropriate clearances.
Small propane fire pits using 20-pound bottles or less are not specifically addressed in the bylaw, but must be used according to manufacturer instructions. If documentation is unavailable, fire crews enforce a minimum clearance of 1.22 metres in all directions. Devices using tanks larger than 20 pounds are not permitted.
For any outdoor burning not covered by a listed exemption—including controlled brush or debris fires—a fire burn permit is required. The permit costs $92 and is valid for a limited time as determined by the Fire Chief. Permits are non-transferable. Applications must include a valid municipal address. General legal land descriptions, lot and block numbers, or rural grid references are not accepted.
Outside city limits, fire advisories remain in effect.
As of May 16, both East and West Rocky View County continue to operate under a fire advisory. The previous fire ban has been downgraded, but all permit burning and fireworks remain suspended. Campfires are allowed under specific conditions, including the use of approved fire pits not exceeding 24 inches in diameter.
In the Calgary Forest Area, Alberta Wildfire lifted both its advisory and the fire ban affecting northern portions of the region on May 13.
"The wildfire danger across the Calgary Forest Area is now low," the agency stated. "Some much needed precipitation was received at virtually all stations across the area.Not only will the moisture help to moderate the extremely dry conditions, but it will also expedite green-up across the landscape," the bulletin said.
Fire permits are once again being issued for the Forest Protection Area. A permit is required for any burning, except campfires. This includes small brush piles and burn barrels.
Permits are free and can be requested through the Calgary Forest Area main office at 403-297-8800 or through the provincial fire permit website.
Since January 1, the Calgary Forest Area has responded to 14 wildfires, which have burned a total of 28.56 hectares.
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