Fire Permits

Currently, the fire risk in Lacombe County is LOW. There are no bans or advisories in place at this time. For more information, please visit https://www.albertafirebans.ca/.

As per Lacombe County Bylaw 1337/21, Fire Protection and Emergency Response and the Forest and Prairies Protection Act, Fire Permits can be obtained for a duration of up to seven (7) days through the online Fire Permit Application Form . Permits are required for all burning between March 1 and October 31.

Under Lacombe County's Fire Protection bylaw, fire permits are only required between March 1 and October 31. However, even when permits aren't mandatory, it's crucial to prioritize safety for your sake and the environment. Here's how to ensure a safe burn:

Check the Weather: Always keep an eye on the weather forecast. Windy conditions can quickly escalate a small fire into a wildfire.
Clear a Safe Zone: Create a safe area around your burn site, free from flammable materials like dry grass or leaves. Maintain a 10-foot clearance.
Equipment Ready: Have a hose, water source, and tools on hand to control the fire. Never leave the fire unattended.
NO Household Garbage: Only burn clean, dry wood or vegetation. NEVER burn household garbage, plastics, or chemicals. See the information below on what you CAN and CAN NOT burn.
Keep it Small: Stick to a manageable fire size. Large, uncontrolled fires are dangerous.
Responsible Supervision: An adult should supervise the fire at all times, and everyone involved should know how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.
Respect Neighbours: Be mindful of your neighbours. Smoke and embers can disrupt their peace.

What can you burn?

Brush and fallen trees
Used power and telephone poles that do not contain preservatives
Wood or wood products not containing preservatives
Solid waste from tree harvesting
Straw, stubble, grass, weeds, leaves, and tree prunings
Solid waste from post and pole operations that does not contain wood preservatives

What can you NOT burn?

Animal manure
Pathological waste (waste from human health centres)
Wood or wood products containing wood preservatives
Waste materials from construction sites
Rubber, including tires
Plastic, including baler twine and grain bags. See recycling options here (link to Ag Plastics Program)
Oil
Containers that held pesticides or any other chemicals
Plastic or rubber coated materials, including copper wire.

When is a Fire Permit NOT required?

Between November 1 and February 28 (or February 29, if it's a leap year)
A recreation fire that is contained in a barbeque or fire pit provided that:
- a minimum of 3.3 metres (10 feet) clearance from buildings, property lines, and combustible materials is maintained;
- and that the barbeque or fire pit is constructed of bricks or concrete blocks, heavy gauge metal, or other suitable non-combustible material
- they are supervised until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished.
- only wood, charcoal briquettes, manufactured fire logs, fireplace pellets, propane, or natural gas is used.
A portable appliance
A Burning Barrel made of a non-combustible structure or container covered with a spark arrester mesh screen made of expanded metal (or equivalent) with openings no larger than 13 millimeters (1/2”).

PLEASE NOTE: Burning Barrels are not permitted in Hamlets, Multi-lot Residential, and Industrial Subdivisions.

Although Fire Permits are not required between November 1 and February 28 (or February 29, if it's a leap year), the public is reminded that:

Smoke cannot cross any major roadways or disturb any neighbouring properties
Wind speeds must be less than 15 kms/hour
If a passerby calls 911, Fire Services are required to attend the scene to ensure a non-emergency.

Let's show our commitment to a safe and responsible community. Remember, even when permits aren't required, safety should always be a top priority. Spread the word and share the knowledge! Together, we can enjoy the warmth of a controlled fire while protecting our beautiful Lacombe County.

Lacombe County Fire Permit regulations and conditions DO NOT apply to any municipal body within Lacombe County.

The following municipalities and governing bodies carry out their own individual Fire permit regulations and conditions:

Village of Clive

Summer Village of Gull Lake

Sylvan Summer Villages

Provincial Campgrounds