Fire Advisory issued for Flagstaff County

Flagstaff Emergency Services Co-ordinator and Regional Fire Chief Kim Cannady declared a Fire Advisory for Flagstaff County on Friday, April 8.

Cannady says, “There are only a few fire permits that will continue on a case by case basis. Otherwise no open burning is allowed.”

Cannady said that a number of small fires were started along Highway 36 last week by burning embers from burn piles for fire permits issued back in February.

A Fire Advisory is not a total fire ban, Cannady said. “Fires are still allowed in fire pits to accommodate those conditions within camp grounds where fuel loads are kept to a minimum by cutting grass, and removing combustible material from the area.”

This fire advisory includes all open fires. Fires are allowed within approved fire pits, natural gas or propane fire pits, and natural gas or propane barbeques, but must be supervised at all times. No fire permits will be issued for brush piles.

A person who sets a fire under this advisory may be charged and will be responsible for the costs of extinguishing the fire pursuant to Flagstaff County Fire Bylaw 02/12.

Albertafirebans.ca provides information on fire bans, warnings, and advisories throughout the province.

Cannady stresses each spring that those who had permits to burn through the winter should ensure that those burn piles are completely out, but says he knows of a few that are still smouldering even now.

“I know of counties that issue permits for brush piles with the stipulation that the remnants will be buried every time.

“I do not want to force this because most people are responsible with their burning, but the odd occasion makes me think it may be coming down the road,” he says.

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor