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Fire permit policies:

Click to view the Lethbridge County Fire Bylaw. Fines may apply for burning without a permit or disregarding the specifications of your permit and/or the Fire Bylaw.​

• You DO NOT need a fire permit for a campfire in a fire ring.
• You DO NOT need a fire permit for burning barrels with screen covers on a non-combustible surface.
• A FIREWORKS permit is not part of this online application process and must be obtained directly through the Lethbridge County Fire Services Office.

Before Applying Check For Fire Bans.

• Visit the Lethbridge County website to check if any fire bans are currently active in your area.

Burning Regulations:

1. Fire permits are required year-round.
2. The fire must be set at the time and place indicated on the permit.
3. The number of fires set at one time and the minimum equipment needed may be specified if a class 2 permit is issued.
4. A fire permit is a legal document which conditionally authorizes a person to burn Class A materials (wood/paper) at a time specified on the permit. By obtaining a fire permit, you have indicated you wish to burn.
5. The responsibility for conducting a safe burn is yours. Anyone who sets a fire under the authority of a permit must comply with the following requirements and conditions.

Important Fire Permit Conditions

1. The fire must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
2. No burning is permitted when winds exceed 25 km/hr or are gusting.
3. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment to be located at the site.
4. The Fire Dispatch Centre must be notified at least one (1) hour prior to the burn taking place. Call 403-327-3462 (Do not call 911)
5. No burning is permitted between the night hours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am unless a special permit has been issued by the Regional Manager of Safety & Emergency Services  Fire Guardian or designate for Lethbridge County.
6. Only Class A combustibles are to be burned (clean wood/paper products).
7. An accurate description of the size and the type of combustibles must be listed on the permit.
8. Any breach of the above conditions renders the permit null and void and you may be held accountable.

 

Fire Permits

1. Other than campfires, municipally approved burning barrels, or licensed incinerators, any person lighting a fire for any purpose must have a valid fire permit.
2. Burning permits are valid for a maximum of 7 days from the issue date. If conditions warrant, permits may be cancelled at any time. Extensions may be granted under a new permit number, provided the required conditions are met.
3. When disposing of a building or structure by burning, the building or structure must first be demolished.
4. The burning of tires, plastic wastes or other toxic, noxious materials or substances is not permitted.

The Regional Manager of Safety & Emergency Services, Fire Guardian, or designate may suspend or cancel all permits or prohibit the lighting of fires with a Fire Ban or restriction. The general public is typically notified of Fire Bans via email, text SMS message, municipal website, Facebook and/or Twitter.  When permits are suspended or cancelled, and fires are prohibited, all fires ignited under the authority of a fire permit must be extinguished immediately.

 

Guidelines For Use Of Burning Barrels

1. Burning barrel to be installed on a non-combustible base, positioned so as not to endanger other combustible materials or structures.
2. Top to be fitted with a tightly meshed spark arrestor screen (7 mm mesh)(1/4").
3. Burning is prohibited when winds exceed 25 km/hr or are gusting.
4. A means of extinguishing the fire must be on-site during the operation of the burning barrel.
5. The person using the burning barrel is responsible for its safe operation. If in doubt, contact the Manager of Fire Services for Lethbridge County.

Agricultural Land Regulations

Special regulations must be followed by those who have a fire permit to burn brush or debris after land clearing or other agricultural activities. These activities will be covered under a Class II Fire Permit.

1.  No fire shall be ignited for broadcast burning of grass or stubble without first obtaining a fire permit.
2. Windrows of debris must be no more than 60 meters in length.
3. The area being burned must be completely surrounded by a guard cleared of combustible material to a width of not less than 15 meters.
4. No windrow shall be closer than 25 meters to uncleared land or standing combustible fuels.
5. Parallel windrows must be separated by not less than 15 meters.
6. Every fire must be supervised and controlled by a responsible person or persons.
7. The minimum amount of equipment required on site:
   - Cultivation equipment as directed by Fire Services.
   - one barrel of at least 200 litres of water
   - one water backpack and hand pail or four heavy sacks; and
   - two (2) round-mouth shovels and one axe.

Reduce your chances of having a fire get out of control by checking these precautions:

1. Ensure that your fireguards are wide enough and cleared to prevent sparks from your fire. Large fires can carry sparks over a considerable distance.
2. Have required tools ready at the fire site and enough portable water to control the fire if required. Even for a small single pile, you should have a shovel and water available.
3. If you have any brush piles, burn only as much as you can keep under control. Check to see if any neighbours will be available to assist you if you require emergency assistance.
4. Do not start to burn under windy or gusty conditions. Whenever possible, plan your burn for early in the day. You will get good burning time if you start at 7:00 am and burn through until 10:00 pm. When your burn is completed, speed up any final extinguishing by dispersing any smouldering ash or accumulation of burned debris.
5. 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 extinguished. Continue to check completed burning projects to be sure no holdover fires are present.
6. One of the most serious burning problems is caused by holdover fires when it is assumed they are out.

THINK FIRE SAFETY

For information about wildfire: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development