Are you in or out of the Forest Protection Area (FPA)?
When applying for a fire permit it is important to know that fire permits in Athabasca County are issued by two authorities: Alberta Forestry (areas within the FPA) and Athabasca County (areas outside of the FPA). To find out if you live inside or outside of the Forest Protection Area, consult the map below.
(Click on Map to Enlarge)
Fire Permits are required by law
Other than a campfire, any person lighting an open fire for burning debris or any other purpose must have a valid fire permit. Permits are required year round in that part of the County outside of the Forest Protection area.
In the County permits may be requested by contacting the County Office. In the Forest Protection Area permits are required during the “Fire Season” which starts March 1st and ends each October 31st.
Fire permits are free. Usually issued for a specific period of time, they may be cancelled before expiry date if the fire danger makes such action necessary. Permits for the Forest Protection area can be obtained by contacting Alberta Sustainable Resources at 780-675-8168.
A fire permit is a legal document that conditionally authorizes a person to burn wood debris at a time specified on the permit. By obtaining a fire permit you have simply indicated your wish to burn. The responsibility for conducting a safe burn is yours.
Anyone who sets a fire under the authority of a permit must:
- Keep the permit at the fire
- Produce and show the permit to an officer upon request
- Keep the fire under control; and
- Extinguish the fire before expiration or upon cancellation of the permit, or obtain a renewal.
Fire Permits are required all year-long
Residents of the Athabasca County are required to obtain fire permits from the County before any burning takes place 12 months of the year.
Getting a free permit from the County is a way of making us aware of your desire to burn, lets our emergency services department know why they might be receiving calls for smoke in the air, and gives us the opportunity to help you ensure your burn is safe and effective.
In the County fire season is all year long and as a landowner, you are responsible for all costs to extinguish a fire which starts on your land.
PERMITS OUTSIDE OF THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA (FPA)
Athabasca County Office:
(780) 675-2273
GET A PERMIT ONLINE
Upload photos and information about your planned burn. Somebody from our office will get back to you about the status of your permit application.
PERMITS WITHIN THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA (FPA)
Alberta Forestry
(Lac La Biche Office):
(780) 623-5388
