JULY 24, 2024 - A fire restriction is currently in currently in effect
Due to current and forecasted hot and dry weather conditions, a fire restriction is currently in effect for the City of Airdrie.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. While campfires are currently allowed, they may be restricted or banned in the coming days, dependent on conditions.
Under this advisory:
All existing fire permits are suspended
No new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve
Prohibited:
Any burning without a valid fire permit
Use of farm burning barrels
Incinerator fires
Consumer fireworks
Allowed:
Use of residential firepits/wood campfires that follow the guidelines below*
Use of natural gas or propane fire pits that are CSA approved or ULC certified
Use of natural gas, propane or electric stoves, barbecues, and smokers that are CSA approved or ULC certified.
Use of solid fuelled barbeque appliances, where the primary source of fuel consists of charcoal, briquettes, or wood
Use of catalytic or infrared style heaters that are CSA approved or ULC certified
Approved fires contained in industrial facilities or sites (energy, forestry or agricultural)
*Fire pit guidelines:
A fire pit shall not be located closer than three meters from a property line and from any combustible material, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, fences, patio decks, trees and foliage as measured from the nearest fire pit edge
The fire pit height cannot exceed 0.6 metres when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
The fire pit opening cannot exceed one metre in width or diameter when measured between the widest points or outside edges
The fire pit must have enclosed sides made from bricks, concrete blocks, or heavy gauge metal. Constructed in a manner to prevent the fuel from falling out.
Fire pit shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate/spark arrestor with openings not to exceed 12.5 millimetres/ 1.25 centimetres in any dimension
Clean, untreated wood is the only acceptable burnable material
The three that you will see most often are fire advisories (yellow), fire restrictions (orange) and fire bans (red). A forest area closure (black) is the fourth level, but because it is only available to provincial representatives within Alberta's Forest Protection Area (FPA), it is rarely used.
Fire advisory - This level is meant to inform the public that the fire hazard rating has increased and there may be certain restrictions on burning. It may also be used as a warning that a more restrictive alert may be coming if the situation does not improve, or for short-term concerns like major wind events.
Fire restriction - This level acts as a higher level of warning before a fire ban. Certain types of burning will be restricted, while certain types will be allowed. It is important to read the details of the fire restriction, as they will vary from municipality to municipality.
Fire ban - A fire ban is usually put in place when a municipality has taken steps to restrict or prohibit most or all types of fire use within that area. It is important to read the details of the fire ban very closely, as they can vary from place to place.
Fines or penalties Any person who ignites, fuels, supervises, maintains or permits an outdoor fire within the municipal boundaries of City of Airdrie during a fire ban can be fined. Should the fire get out of control and emergency fire response is required, the person responsible for the fire can be charged the full firefighting costs.
Provincial vs. municipal fire bans and advisories
Provincial fire bans and advisories apply to all Crown Land in Alberta. The City of Airdrie's bans and advisories apply to all lands within the Airdrie city limits. This is because individual municipalities regulate their own fire status.
Further information regarding provincial fire conditions is available at albertafirebans.ca .