FIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW
Other than a campfire, any person lighting an open fire for burning debris or any other purpose must have a valid fire permit. Permits may be obtained from your local fire guardian or County Office. Fire permits are free. Usually issued for a specific period of time, they may be cancelled before expiry date if the fire danger makes such action necessary. Permits for the Forest Protection area can be obtained from Alberta Sustainable Resources Fire Centre at 1-780-845-5266.
WHEN PERMITS ARE REQUIRED?
Fire permits are required during the "Fire Season" which starts April 1st and ends each October 31st. There are, however, provisions for the "Fire Season" to be reduced or extended in duration if the risk or dangers of forest fires exist. Any changes to the normal Fire Season will be announced in the news media.
REGULATIONS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW
A fire permit is a legal document which conditionally authorizes a person to burn wood debris at a time specified on the permit. By obtaining a fire permit you have simply indicated your wish to burn. The responsibility for conducting a safe burn is yours.
Anyone who sets a fire under the authority of a permit must:
Keep the permit at the fire
Produce and show the permit to an officer upon request
Keep the fire under control; and
Extinguish the fire before expiration or upon cancellation of the permit, or obtain a renewal.
FIRE CONTROL
Before lighting any fire, a permit holder must take precautions to ensure that the fire is kept under control at all times.
Fires must not be lit when weather conditions are conductive to fires escaping or getting out of control. Contact your nearest fire guardian for specific advice.
No one may deposit, discard, or leave any burning material in a place where it may ignite and result in a fire.
FIRE BANS
Fire bans are advertised on CFCW radio station, the Millet Pipestone Flyer, the County of Wetaskiwin web site and www.albertafirebans.ca. If in doubt, call the County office at 780-352-3321 or 1-800-661-4125.
BURNING BARRELS
Burn with extreme care or haul debris to a transfer/landfill site.
The burning barrel should be in good condition.
Ground clean and maintained for 3 meters.
Help combustion. Steel rods or pipes will hold burning material up and give a better burn. Draft holes not larger than 5 mm in diameter.
Mesh size of screen not larger than 7 mm.
Weights to hold screen on barrel.
Keep fire fighting tools on hand and never leave your fire unattended.
ASH DISPOSAL
Place in metal container, Soak with water, Let sit for 2-3 days before disposal, Dispose of ashes in a pit.
BURNING BRUSH PILES
No more than 5 piles to be burning or smoldering at any given time.
Ensure debris or windrows resulting from land clearing are no more than 60 meters long. Leave an 8 meter break between each 60 meter length.
Ensure windrows are at least 25 meters away from unclear land or standing hazardous fuels. Keep fire fighting tools on hand and never leave your fire unattended.
WHAT CAN I BURN?
“Burnable Debris” means all inflammable waste other than prohibited debris and includes but is not limited to grass and weeds, leaves and tree pruning, brush and fallen trees on newly cleared land, telephone poles and wooden materials from the construction or demolition of buildings that do not contain wood preservatives, solid waste from tree harvesting operations, solid waste from post and pole operations that does not contain wood preservatives.
“Prohibited Debris” means any inflammable waste that when burned may result in the release to the atmosphere of dense black smoke office odors or toxic substances. This includes but is not limited to animal manure, pathological waste, non-wooden material, combustible material, tires/rubber/plastic, used oil.
STUBBLE BURNING
If burning straw or stubble, the Director of Agricultural Services must be contacted at 780-361-6226. Under the Soil Conservation Act, he may issue a permit to burn these items.
YOU CAN CUT DOWN YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A FIRE ESCAPE…If you double check these easy precautions
Be sure your fire guards are wide enough and clear so a fire cannot cross over. Be alert for spot fires started by sparks from your fire. Large fires can carry sparks over a considerable distance.
Have your tools ready at the fire site and enough portable water depending on the size of your fire. Even for a small single pile you should have a shovel and water.
If you have many brush piles, light only as much as you can keep under control. Check to see if any neighbors will be available in case you need extra help and equipment.
Don't start to burn under windy, gusty conditions. Whenever possible, plan your burn for later in the day (after 6:00 p.m.). You still get good burning time, but should anything go wrong, the cooler evening and night will aid you in regaining control.
When your burn is completed, speed up final extinguishing by dispersing any smoldering ash or accumulation of burned debris. Fires can remain dormant in large piles for long periods and usually surface when fire hazard conditions are extreme.
Persistent hot spots, left to burn out, must be well guarded. When the weather gets dry, any holdover fire must be put out. Continue to check completed burning projects to be sure no holdover fires are present.
If burning by a primary or secondary highway with a possibility of smoke crossing the road, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure smoke warning signs are posted on the road. Signs can be obtained by calling Alberta Highway Services at 780-352-2078 (Wetaskiwin office) or 780-848-2357 (Warburg office). Also, when burning by a primary or secondary highway, a permit may be required from other agency representatives such as Alberta Transportation (In Alberta contact 310-0000). Be sure your site inspection involves all responsible representatives and be aware that the representing agency for the affected section of roadway has the right to refuse the issuance of the permit for reasons of public safety.
If burning by a County road with a possibility of smoke crossing the road, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure smoke warning signs are posted on the road. Signs can be obtained by calling the County office and we will provide smoke signs for the road.