In accordance with Athabasca County Fire Services Bylaw 015-2023 section 8, a Fire Control Order (Fire Restriction) is now in effect for lands within Athabasca County located outside the Forest Protection Area.
Under this Restriction:
• The issuance of new fire permits is limited to exempted activities as detailed below.
• All existing permits for activities other than those exempted below are suspended.
• The discharge of fireworks and use of exploding targets is prohibited.
For greater clarity, this Restriction does not include:
• Recreational fires in Bylaw compliant Fire Pits;
• Burn Barrels with substantiating permits;
• Essential agricultural burning (smudging).
As a reminder to all residents and visitors, the Athabasca County Fire Services Bylaw 015-2023 defines requirements for fire pits and burn barrels.
“Burn Barrel” means a contained fire designed for the controlled incineration of household refuse, with the exception of Prohibited Debris, in a container that meets the following design criteria:
a. is a non-combustible barrel or container;
b. has a six millimeter or smaller metal screen to reduce the risk of flying sparks and debris,
c. is positioned on exposed mineral soil,
d. a minimum of three meters clearance of combustible material, and
e. is positioned at least 30 meters away from all structures and trees.
“Fire Pit” means a permanently affixed outdoor fire receptacle that:
a. is constructed of non-combustible material;
b. has an open flame area that does not exceed 1 meter at its widest point;
c. has walls which are a minimum of 0.60 meters in height measured from the floor of the Fire Pit to the top of the wall of the Fire Pit excluding any chimney;
d. is set upon or built into the bare ground or a non-combustible material such as brick or stone;
e. is situated at least 3 meters from any house, garage or similar Structure including wooden decks, porches, and similar amenity space attached to a Structure measured from the part of the Fire Pit which is closest to the Structure or amenity space;
f. is situated at least 3 meters from any other combustible material measured from the part of the Fire Pit which is closest to the combustible material;
g. is not located directly under any tree, overhanging branches, or aboveground utility wires, or over any underground utilities; and
h. has a non-combustible mesh screen covering with openings no greater than 1.25 centimeters across.
Any fire pit not meeting the design requirements as noted above shall require a fire permit. Under this fire restriction, permits for non-conforming fire pits shall not be issued.
This Fire Control Order comes into effect at 1 o’clock p.m. on the 29th day of July 2024 and will remain in effect until amended or revoked by the proper authority of Athabasca County.
