Lacombe County reminds people that permit requests are free and easy to submit.
Lacombe County reminds ratepayers that fire permit season starts on March 1, 2023. Burning without a fire permit will result in a hefty fine.
Fire permits are easiest to get and are available 24/7 online through the Lacombe County website (www.lacombecounty.com) or the myLacombeCounty app (iPhone users only). Permits can also be requested in person at the Lacombe County Office during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or by calling the Community Services Department at 403-782-8959 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
“Fire permits are free, easy to obtain, and are emailed to you directly, so you always have it with you,” said Bussiere. “Permits are there to ensure the safety of Lacombe County residents and their neighbours and come with a detailed list of the requirements to ensure burns can be completed safely. While most controlled burns in the County are permitted, we continue to have situations where people don’t take out a permit and can be charged under the bylaw.”
Under Lacombe County’s Fire Protection Policy, anyone found burning without a permit will be required to pay for the fire department response fees. A flat rate of $300 will be charged for responses not requiring fire suppression where a person is in contravention of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act for failure to have a fire permit or any other provision of the Act.
Remember to check your winter burn piles.
It’s essential to burn safely throughout the year – whether it’s permit season or not. Many producers brush land and burn the brush during the winter months. It is crucial to check these piles, as they can smoulder for many months and be rekindled by the wind. Combine this with potentially dry spring conditions, and the resulting fires can be disastrous.
“Residents are encouraged to check on any controlled burns performed outside of permit season, as larger burns can smoulder through the winter and reignite as it warms up,” said Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief. “By participating in the fire permit process and using safe burning practices, Lacombe County residents can help us keep our County safe throughout the season.”
Fires that are started by rekindled brush piles are the property owner’s responsibility, and can also be charged for the fire response. Should a Fire Department respond to a fire for which a permit has not been issued, or if a permit has been issued and the permit holder contravenes any of the conditions of the permit, the property owner will be assessed costs at the following rates:
- fire truck - $500 per hour
- water truck - $300 per hour
- rapid response unit/mini pumper - $300 per hour
- rescue truck - $300 per hour
- equipment other than fire apparatus – Lacombe County cost
- personnel other than fire department members - Lacombe County cost
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you require a fire permit?
The Forest and Prairie Protection Act prohibits the lighting of an outdoor fire, excluding an attended outdoor campfire which has been set for cooking or warming purposes, between March 1 and October 31 each year, on land in a permit area unless the person is a holder of a subsisting fire permit.
The Forest and Prairie Protection Act states that no person shall:
- light an outdoor fire without first taking sufficient precautions to ensure that the fire can be kept under control at all times, or
- light an outdoor fire when weather conditions are conducive to a fire readily escaping out of control, or
- fail to take reasonable steps to control a fire to prevent it from spreading unto land other than his own, or
- deposit, discard or leave any burning matter or substance in a place where it might ignite other matter and result in a fire.
How can you obtain a permit?
Beginning on March 1, online fire permits can be obtained from the Lacombe County website homepage (www.lacombecounty.com) and through the “myLacombeCounty” app. Permits can also be requested in person at the Lacombe County Office or by calling 403-782-8959.
What you need to know
In Lacombe County, fire permits are required during the fire season, which starts March 1 and ends October 31 each year, but can be extended if the risk or danger of wildfire exists.
Before lighting any fire, a permit holder must take precautions to ensure the fire is controlled at all times. The following rules apply to all permits issued in Lacombe County:
- A fire permit is valid only for the period it is issued for.
- Upon issuing a permit, the County may specify any special fire control condition that, at their discretion, is important to the safety of the county residents.
- The fire must be set at the time and place indicated on the permit.
- The number of fires set at one time and the minimum equipment needed may be specified on the permit.
- Anyone who sets a fire under the authority of a permit must:
- Have a permit at the fire site.
- Produce and show the permit to a County employee on request
- Keep the fire under control, and
- Extinguish the fire before expiration, upon permit cancellation, or obtain a renewal.
What can you burn?
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Burnable debris includes: · 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 |
Prohibited debris includes: · 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 · Oil · Containers that held pesticides or any other chemicals · Plastic or rubber-coated materials, including copper wire. |
Remember to recycle
Many items that you may consider burning can be recycled: Plastics, paper, cardboard, metal materials, used oil, tires and beverage containers, along with many other items. Call the Recycle Info Line at 1-800-463-8320 for local information or visit the Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission website (www.lrwsc.ca).