Fire permits

Burn Permits

Within the corporate city limits, as per the City of Airdrie's Fire Services Bylaw No. B-18/2018 (pdf), a burn permit is required any time there is a planned open air fire (controlled burn) other than the following:

• Incinerator fire
• Public park site fire
• Fire in an acceptable fireplace
• Fire in acceptable burning barrel
• Fire in an acceptable fire pit

Anyone wishing to obtain a fire burn permit must complete an application. 

Fill a Fire BURn Permit Application

NOTE: In order to apply for a fire burn permit, the applicant must have a municipal address for the burn location. A lot, block and plan address is not acceptable.

• Municipal addressing can be obtained from the Address and land use map and applicants should do so prior to completing a Burn permit application.
• For burns in development areas where individual municipal addressing has not been assigned, a cross street reference is required. Example – north west corner of Veterans blvd and 8th street.
• For rural residents a section, township, range road address of the burn location is required. An emergency locator number is also preferred where applicable.

Upon receipt of the application, the fire chief will, as per the city bylaw and the Alberta Fire Code:

• Grant a fire burn permit with or without terms and conditions, as appropriate
• Refuse to grant a fire burn permit
• Determine that a fire burn permit is not required

The cost of a permit is $35 and will be invoiced to the applicant at the end of each month. Payment can be made at City Hall.

The fire burn permit is non-transferable.

Fire burn permits issued are valid for only a set period of time, as set out by each specific permit. The fire chief may extend in writing the period of time that the permit is valid, provided it has not yet expired.

When in doubt, contact the Airdrie Fire Department to see if what you are planning to burn is allowed per the city bylaw. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $2,500.

Annexed residents considering a burning barrel? Below are the regulations for an 'acceptable burning barrel' for farm use only.

In certain circumstances, burning barrels and contained burning pits shall be allowed for farm use only, within the City of Airdrie corporate limits.

• Minimum of three (3) metres clearance must be maintained from buildings, property lines or other combustible material when measured from the nearest edge
• The opening can not exceed one (1) metre in width or diameter when measured between the widest points or outside edges
• The receptacle must have enclosed sides made from bricks, concrete blocks or heavy gauge metal
• A spark arrestor mesh screen with openings no larger than 1.25 cm and constructed of expanded metal (or equivalent non-combustible material) must be used to cover the opening

Types of burnable debris applying to farm use only:

• Grass and weeds
• Leaves and tree pruning
• Brush and fallen trees on newly cleared land
• Wood material from the construction or demolition of buildings which does not contain wood preservatives
• Household refuse

Any burning of the above material that will not fit into a burn barrel requires a fire burn permit issued by the fire department.

Any material that when burned, will result in the release of dense smoke or toxic air contaminants in accordance with statutes and bylaws written to protect and enhance the environment. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Animal cadavers
• Animal manure
• Chemicals and chemical containers
• Combustible material in automobile bodies
• Combustible material in automobiles
• Non-wooden material
• Paints and painting materials
• Pathological waste
• Rubber or plastic, or anything containing or coated with rubber or plastic or similar substances, except rubber or plastic attached to shredded scrap steel
• Tires
• Toxic substances
• Used oilwood or wood products containing substances for the purposes of preserving wood

When in doubt, contact the Airdrie Fire Department to see if what you are planning to burn is allowed per the city bylaw. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $2,500.

Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. 

Consumer Fireworks/low-hazard recreational fireworks (class 7.2.1/F.1) are not allowed within the corporate city limits, as per the City of Airdrie, Emergency Services Bylaw.

Possession, sale, or storage of consumer fireworks is prohibited.

Display fireworks/high- hazard recreational fireworks (class 7.2.2/F.2) are allowed with a permit. A fireworks permit is required any time there is a planned open air fireworks display. Permit conditions include the following;

• Who can put on a fireworks display in the City of Airdrie?
• People who are authorized and have training provided by the Explosive Regulatory Division(ERD) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)– Fireworks operator certificate (Display assistant, display supervisor and display supervisor with endorsements)
• What needs to be provided to the Airdrie Fire Department?
• City of Airdrie Fireworks permit. Complete the fireworks permit application (pdf).
• A municipal address. 
• Addressing can be obtained from the Address and land use map and applications should do so prior to completing a fireworks permit application.
• For fireworks displays in development areas where individual municipal addressing has not been assigned, a cross street reference is required, Example – north west corner of Veterans Blvd. and 8th street.
• For rural residents a section, township, range road address of the fireworks is required. An emergency locator number is also preferred where applicable.
• Fire department safety codes officer requirement to inspect the site and review fire safety plans prior to blasting.

The completed application can be sent via: 

Email:  fire.department@airdire.ca,

Mailed:

Airdrie Fire Department
400 Main Street SE
Airdrie, AB
T4B 3C3

Upon receipt of the application, the fire chief will, as per the city bylaw and the Alberta Fire Code:

• Grant a fireworks permit with or without terms and conditions, as appropriate
• Refuse to grant a fireworks permit

The cost of a permit is $35 and will be invoiced to the applicant at the end of each month. Payment can be made at City Hall.

The fireworks permit is non-transferable.

Fireworks permits issued are valid for only a set period of time, as set out by each specific permit. The fire chief may extend in writing the period of time that the permit is valid, provided it has not yet expired.

For more information, refer to the Fire Services Bylaw No. B-18/2018 (pdf)

When in doubt, contact the Airdrie Fire Department to see if what you’re planning to blast is allowed per the City bylaw. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $2,500.