M.D. of Foothills No. 31
Protective Services
graham.clark@mdfoothills.com
309 Macleod Trail,  High River, Alberta T1V 1M7
Phone:  (403) 652-2341 or (403) 931-1905

Link to Province of Alberta   Provincial Fire bans

FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRE BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED.

Effective at 9:00 am on Thursday, April 29, 2010 the Fire Ban has been lifted by Council due to the accumulated moisture and the expected moisture over the next week.

It is important to note that all open fires require a burning permit prior to lighting.

The only exceptions are fires that are contained fires totally covered with a screen mesh that prevents the escape of sparks or combustible materials. These fire pits or burn barrels must also have a non combustible apron around the perimeter of at least 24” or 61cm.

BURNING PERMITS AND REGULATIONS

Regulations You Need To Follow 
Fire Permit Conditions
Fire Permits
Fire Guardians
Guidelines For Use Of Burning Barrel Incinerators
Agricultural Land Regulations

Regulations You Need To Follow

1. Fire permits are required year round in the Municipal District of Foothills No. 31.

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 minimum equipment needed may be specified on the permit.

4. A fire permit is a legal document which conditionally authorized a person to burn Class A materials (wood/paper) at a time specified on the permit.  By obtaining a fire permit you have simply indicated you wish to burn. 

5. The responsibility for conducting a safe burn is yours.  Anyone who sets a fire under authority of a permit must comply with the following requirements and conditions.

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Fire Permit Conditions

1. Fire must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

2. No burning is permitted when winds exceed 12 km/hr or are gusting.

3. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment to be located at site.

4. The Fire Dispatch Centre @ 1-888-808-3722 must be notified approximately one (1) hour prior to burn taking place.

5. No burning is permitted between the night hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am unless a special permit has been issued by the M.D. of Foothills or a Fire Guardian.

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 given to the Fire Guardian when applying for a permit.

8. Any breach of the above conditions renders the permit null and void.

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 Fire Permits

Other than campfires and Municipally approved incinerators, any person lighting a fire for any purpose must have a valid fire permit.  Permits may be obtained from the Municipal District of Foothills office during normal office hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am. - 4:30 pm) by phoning (403) 652-2341, or from one of the following fire guardians.  CALL the Dispatch Centre at 1-888-808-3722 BEFORE YOU BURN. 

NOTE:  There is no charge for a Fire Permit.

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Fire Guardians

 Fire permits are required for all open burning on a year round basis.  Exceptions may be permitted if burning is to take place in a burning barrel fitted with a screen, or a BBQ in or outside of a pit. 

 Fire permits are valid for 5 days from the date of issue.  If conditions warrant, permits may be cancelled at any time.  Extensions may be granted under a new permit number, provided the required conditions can be met.  Anyone in receipt of a fire permit must inform the Fire Dispatch Centre @ 1-888-808-3722 aproximately one (1) hour prior to commencing burning.

 When disposing of a building or structure by burning, the building or structure must first be demolished.  The burning of tires, plastic wastes or other toxic noxious materials or substances is not permitted.

 The Municipal Fire Chief, for the purpose of fire control, may suspend or cancel all permits or prohibit the lighting of fires in any part or all of the Municipal District of Foothills No. 31.

Upon suspension or cancellation of any permit, the person concerned must extinguish immediately any fire set according to his permit.

 The general public may be notified of suspension or cancellation of the fire permits through the press, radio or television.  Upon such notification all fires ignited under the authority of a permit or any fire under the control or jurisdiction of a permit holder must be extinguished immediately.

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Guidelines For Use Of Burning Barrel Incinerators

1. Incinerator to be installed on a non-combustible base, positioned so as not to endanger other combustible materials or structures.

2. Incinerator to be fitted with a tight meshed spark arrester screen (7 mm mesh)(1/4”).

3. Burning is not recommended when winds exceed 12 km/hr or are gusting.

4. A means of extinguishing the fire must be on site during operation of incinerator.

5. The person using the incinerator is responsible for its safe operation.  If in doubt, contact the M.D. Fire Chief.

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 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. 

1. No fire shall be ignited for broadcast burning of grass or stubble without first obtaining a fire permit from the Fire Chief. 

2. Windrows of debris must be no more than 60 metres 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 metres. 

4. No windrow shall be closer than 25 metres to uncleared land or standing combustible fuels. 

5. Parallel windrows must be separated by not less than 15 metres. 

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 in permit

°          one barrel of at least 200 litres of water

°          one water backpack and hand pail or four heavy sacks; and

°          2 round mouth shovels

°          one axe

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

• Ensure that your fire guards are wide enough and cleared to prevent sparks from your fire.  Large fires can carry sparks over a considerable distance.

• Have required tools ready at the fire site and enough portable water to control fire if required.  Even for a small single pile you should have a shovel and water available. 

• If you have any brush piles, burn only as much as you can keep under control.  Check to see if any neighbors will be available to assist you if you require emergency assistance. 

• Don't 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 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 extinguished.  Continue to check completed burning projects to be sure no holdover fires are present.

**One of the most serious burning problems is caused by fire escaping from brush piles and windrows.**

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