Why can't I burn?
A fire ban has been declared for Strathcona County, effective noon on May 7. No outdoor fires are permitted until further notice. This applies to all rural areas, hamlets, and Sherwood Park.
Emergency Services reserves the rights to suspend fire permits without notice at any time when conditions are unsafe for burning open fires.
There are four basic reasons to do this:
- It's too dry.
- It's too windy (winds are officially forecasted to exceed 15 kph).
- Lack of available manpower (due to other ongoing incidents, we would not be able to respond should your fire get out of control).
- A fire ban is in place.
For this reason, permit holders must call 780-464-8464 prior to each burn to determine if burning is allowed at that time. This number is Emergency Services' 24-hour automated line and will provide message relaying whether or not it is safe to burn on that particular day or time, based on weather, wind, ground conditions and department resources.
This suspension is only a temporary restriction of burning privileges for fires which require a permit until conditions improve and is not considered the same as a Fire Ban.
Last updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Page ID: 4654