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A Fire which is contained in an Incinerator, barbeque or residential fire pit does not require a Fire Permit under Bylaw 2019-06. In Wheatland County, permits for these activities are required year round. 

There is no charge for a fire or fireworks permit. If conditions are breached or the weather deteriorates, permits may be cancelled at any time. Upon suspension or cancellation of any permit, the permit holder must follow the instructions noted in the voided permit notification; which will include immediately extinguishing any fire set according to their permit.

Our Fire Bans are applicable to only our County. Other jurisdictions and Provincial Parks will have their own regulations. Check before you burn!

Get a Fire Permit

A fire permit is a legal document which conditionally authorized a person to burn Class A materials (wood/paper) at a time and location as specified on the permit. The responsibility for conducting a safe burn is yours. Anyone who sets a fire under authority of a permit must comply with the requirements and conditions as noted on the permit.

Reminder: You must call dispatch at 403-934-2911 half an hour before you burn and afterwards when fire is extinguished. 

Fire Permit applications are accepted Monday to Friday until 3:30 p.m. Applications submitted past 3:30 are not guaranteed to be processed same day.

Can I burn without a permit?

A Fire which is contained in an Incinerator, barbeque or residential fire pit does not require a Fire Permit under Bylaw 2019-06 provided that:

  1. a minimum of 4 meters clearance from buildings, property lines and combustible materials or as approved by the Regional Fire Chief is maintained;
  2. the Incinerator, barbeque or fire pit is constructed of bricks or concrete blocks or heavy gauge metal or other suitable non-combustible components;
  3. the Incinerator, barbeque or fire pit has a spark arrestor mesh screen of 0.7 centimeters (.25 inches) expanded metal (or equivalent) to contain sparks over the Fire at all times;
  4. the Incinerator, barbeque or fire pit is supervised at all times by a responsible adult person until such time that Fire has been extinguished. A Fire shall be deemed to include hot ashes and smoldering embers resulting from the Fire;
  5. only wood, charcoal briquettes, propane or natural gas fuels are used; and
  6. flame height does not exceed 100 cm (3.28 feet) above the incinerator, barbecue or fire pit.
  7.  
Why change the fire permit application process?

Wheatland County is utilizing progressive technology to enhance our services and processes. By updating the fire permit application process, residents can apply for a fire permit anywhere, on any device. The entire application and approval process is completely digital – users will no longer be required to print and manually sign the application prior to submitting it for approval.

How will I be notified when my permit is approved?

If approved, a fire guardian will send you an email with the signed permit attached. The permit will include the expiration date of the permit and any special conditions with respect to the materials you are burning.

The digital permit must be produced upon request by fire personnel and local authorities.

How will I be notified when a fire ban has been issued?

If you have an active fire permit when a fire ban is issued, you will receive an email with a voided copy of your fire permit attached. Activation of a fire ban at any level voids all active fire permits and fires must be extinguished immediately. During an active fire ban, new fire permits will not be issued.

After a fire ban has been lifted, you will need to apply for a new fire permit.

Our fire bans are applicable to only our boundaries. Other jurisdictions and Provincial parks will have their own regulations. More information can be found here.

Terms and Conditions

Obligations and duties of the County 

 

The County agrees to consider the Application which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the performance of any inspections or investigations which assigned personnel, in their sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary to be undertaken. 

 

The County may in its absolute discretion issue a Fire Permit to the Applicant, which may be issued under such terms and conditions as the County deems appropriate. 

 

Obligations and duties of the applicant 

 

The Applicant warrants that they are the owner or occupant, or has obtained the written permission of the owner or occupant of the property described in the Application. 

 

Please note: If you do not own or occupy the property, you must apply in person for a Fire Permit, and bring written permission from the owner or the owner’s authorized agent. 

 

When the Fire Permit has been approved, the applicant is responsible to print and/or save an electronic copy of the permit and have it available if requested by the Fire Guardian.

 

The Applicant agrees to allow an assigned person to enter upon the property for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Fire Services Bylaw and this Application, which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the inspection of the property and the prevention or extinguishment of any fire thereon. 

 

Obligations and duties of approved permit holders 

 

The holder of the Fire Permit shall ensure the following requirements are met when lighting an outdoor fire:

 

  • At least one adult over the age of 18 is in physical attendance at the fire at all times to monitor and control the burn;
  • Adequate equipment is available to prevent and/or control the burn;
  • Forecasted or actual wind speeds are not in excess of 15 km/hour;
  • Sufficient precautions to ensure that the fire can be kept under control at all times have been taken;
  • Reasonable steps to prevent the fire from spreading onto other lands have been taken; and
  • Appropriate signage is in place to alert the traveling public of a potential for low lying smoke, reducing visibility.

The holder of an approved Fire Permit shall not deposit, discard or leave burning matter or substances in a place where potential ignition of other matter can result in a fire. 

 

The Applicant agrees to comply with all Federal, Provincial and Municipal legislation, regulations and other requirements, and to observe all recognized safety standards and practices. 

 

In the event that the Applicant is granted a Fire Permit by the County, the Applicant agrees to pay all costs associated with extinguishing of all fires caused directly or indirectly by violation of the terms and conditions of this Application, including the Fire Permit. 

 

Liability waiver and indemnity 

 

The Applicant agrees:

 

  1. Not to make or bring any claim, action, suit, proceeding or demand against the County, its elected officials, officers, Employees, servants, agents and contractors with respect to any occurrence, incident, accident or happening relating in any manner whatsoever to this Application or the issuance of a Fire Permit to the Applicant by the County, and the rights and obligations arising therefrom, which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing shall include any claim, action, suit, proceeding or demand arising in tort or contract;
  2. To indemnify and save harmless the County, its elected officials, officers, Employees, servants, agents and contractors with respect to any claim, action, suit, proceeding or demand made or brought against the County, its elected officials, officers, Employees, servants, agents and contractors by any third party with respect to any occurrence, incident, accident or happening relating in any manner whatsoever to this Agreement or the issuance of a Fire Permit to the Applicant by the County, and the rights and obligations arising therefrom, and which indemnity shall, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include any claim, action, suit, proceeding or demand arising in tort or contract, and shall include all legal costs incurred by the County in defending such a claim, action, suit, proceeding or demand.

Termination 

 

Notwithstanding anything contained within this Application, this Fire Permit may be suspended or terminated at any time by the County in its sole and absolute discretion. 

 

General Matters 

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties and there are no general or specific warranties, representations or other agreements by or among the Parties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement or the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth herein. 

 

The Applicant hereby covenants and agrees to do such things, obtain such approvals, permits and licenses and execute such further documents, agreements and assurances as may be necessary or advisable from time to time in order to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement in accordance with their true intent. 

 

This Fire Permit may not be assigned in whole or in part by the Applicant without the expressed written permission of the County. 

 

This Fire Permit shall ensure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto, their respective successors and permitted assigns. The information is being collected under section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  The collection of information is to facilitate the processing of fire permit applications.  Questions regarding the collection of this information can be directed to the FOIP Coordinator at (403)934-3321 or admin@wheatlandcounty.ca

Get a Fireworks Permit

In Wheatland County, you need a permit to purchase, store, and discharge fireworks.

Until recently, fireworks have been illegal to sell, store, possess or discharge—with the exception of Federally regulated facilities. When the new 2014 Alberta Fire Code was released in 2015, it allowed municipalities to give permission for fireworks in their specific boundaries. On June 6, 2017, Wheatland County Council approved permitting the discharge of fireworks within the municipal boundaries for both family and professional fireworks displays.

Fireworks Permit applications are accepted Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on regular business days. Applications are not guaranteed to be processed the same day. Fireworks permits can be completed many months prior to your event, so don’t leave it to the last minute!

For a Fireworks Permit for anywhere in the County (not valid/required for the Villages of Hussar, Rockyford, or Standard) you can:

  1. Fill out the permit application (also available at the Wheatland administration office),
  2. Obtain the signature from the Fire Chief in your area (plan ahead so you can be sure the Chief is available), and
  3. Fax (403-934-4889), email, or bring the permit into the office for the last required signature.

Please be sure the application form is completed and the Fire Guardian has signed it prior to submitting for final approval.

Contact our office if you have any questions about obtaining a Fire Permit or Fireworks Permit.

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