With the dry spell continuing around Alberta, Airdrie will now be under a fire advisory for the foreseeable future.

With that comes some new rules that must be followed to help prevent possible fires.

Under this advisory all existing fire permits are suspended, except for acceptable burn barrels and incinerators, no new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve and some essential burning may be allowed at the discretion of the fire department. Things that are now prohibited include any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a residential backyard fire pit and Consumer fireworks.

Here are the exceptions:

  • Acceptable residential fire pits/wood campfires 
  • Natural gas, propane fire pits that are CSA-approved or ULC certified
  • Natural gas, propane or electric stoves, barbecues and smokers that are CSA-approved or ULC certified
  • Solid-fueled barbeque appliances, where the primary source of fuel consists of charcoal, briquettes or wood
  • Catalytic or infrared-style heaters that are CSA-approved or UL certified
  • Acceptable burning barrel for farm use only
  • Incinerator fire
  • Approved fires contained in industrial facilities or sites (energy, forestry or agricultural)

Here are the guidelines that must be followed when it comes to acceptable residential fire pits and wood campfires:

  • A fire pit shall not be located closer than three metres 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
  • The fire pit must be constructed in a manner to prevents the fuel from falling out
  • The 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 fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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