Burning and fire permits

Fire guardians

Fire guardians are volunteers in the community. As a result, they may not be able to respond to requests immediately. Contact a fire guardian in your fire district to get your permit; Leduc County councillors are also fire guardians.

• hamlets (Buford, Kavanagh, Looma, Rolly View, Sunnybrook and New Sarepta)
• localities (Glen Park, Michigan Center, St. Francis and Telfordville)
• subdivisions

Fire permit holders are allowed to burn the following materials:

• paper products
• yard waste (weeds, leaves, tree clippings, brush, fallen trees, etc.)
• wood or wood products that don't contain preservatives

You can't burn the following materials, even with a fire permit:

• animal manure
• pathological waste
• wood or wood products that contain preservatives
• rubber, including tires
• plastic, including baler twine
• oil
• containers that held pesticides or chemicals
• waste material from construction sites

Fire advisories

A fire advisory is generally an indication that a fire restriction or ban may be implemented if weather conditions don't improve. If a fire advisory is issued, certain restrictions may be placed on burning.

Fire restrictions

If a fire restriction is issued, fire permits will not be issued. As well, all fire permits previously issued are suspended, as per the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. All open fires burning at the time the restriction comes into effect must be extinguished immediately. Use extreme caution when using approved burn barrels or fire pits; it's best to wait until the restriction is lifted.

Fire bans

If a fire ban is issued, fire permits will not be issued. As well, all fire permits previously issued are suspended, as per the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. All outdoor fires burning at the time the ban comes into effect must be extinguished immediately. All outdoor burning is prohibited, including open fires, fires used for cooking and warmth, fires contained to burn barrels and fire pits, and the discharge of fireworks.

Fire pit specifications

Acceptable fire pits are outdoor containers that meet the following specifications:

• minimum of three metres separating the fire pit from all buildings, property lines or other combustible materials
• a fire pit shall be surrounded by a non-combustible surface that extends one metre in circumference of the fire pit
• a fire pit must not be more than 0.6 metres in height when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
• a fire pit must not be more than one metre in diameter when measured from the widest points
• a fire pit must have enclosed sides made from brick, concrete blocks, heavy gauge metal or other non-combustible materials
• a mesh screen with openings no larger than 1.25 centimetres made of metal (or a non-combustible material) must cover the fire to contain and reduce airborne sparks

Burn barrel specifications

Acceptable burn barrels are outdoor containers that meeting the following specifications:

• containers must be no larger than 210 Litres
• the barrel must be placed on a non-combustible surface extending at least three metres from the container
• the barrel must be placed at least 15 metres from the property line, building, structure or other combustible material
• a mesh screen with openings no larger than seven millimetres made of metal (or a non-combustible material) must cover the fire to contain and reduce airborne sparks

Ash disposal

To dispose of ash, place the ashes in a metal container and soak with water. Let the ashes sit for two-to-three days before disposal in a pit.