Fires that require a fire permit include open fires and burn barrels. Fire permits are not issued for properties within:

• Sherwood Park
• Ardrossan
• Josephburg
• North and South Cooking Lake
• Antler Lake
• Hastings Lake
• Half Moon Lake
• Collingwood Cove

Fires that do not require a fire permit include recreational fire pits (pots, bowls, fire tables or chimineas) and smudge fires.

Fire permit holders must call Strathcona County’s 24 hour Burning Status Line at 780-464-8464 or text the word “BURN” to 587-340-3696 each time you burn to confirm that conditions allow for burning.

Wood burning fire pits must be a minimum of three meters away from combustible materials and covered with a heavy gauge metal screen with openings no larger than 13 mm. We don’t recommend wood burning firepits to be placed on the driveway as it can cause damage to the concrete.

For propane or natural gas fuelled appliances, follow the manufacturer’s specifications.

Recreational Fire Pit (no permit required)

• Clean dry wood

Outdoor/Burn Barrel Fire (permit required)

• Brush
• Yard debris (grass, weeds, leaves and tree prunings)  
• Cardboard
• Paper

As per Outdoor Fire Bylaw 4-2021, it is illegal to burn:

• food waste
• animal carcasses and manure
• treated construction materials
• wire
• insulation
• rubber and plastics
• herbicides and pesticides
• any other toxic materials which may produce dense black smoke
• painted, stained or pressure treated wood
• railroad ties

The above materials must be disposed of by other means, such as using a waste collection service or Strathcona County’s  Enviroservice Station. For more information, call Utilities at 780-449-5514.

Immediate danger to life or properties should be reported to 9-1-1.

Non-emergent complaints can be directed to Enforcement Services 24-hour complaint line at 780-467-7741. Please provide the exact address of the complaint to assist with the investigation.  

Complaints may include incidents of excessive or toxic smoke, burning prohibited materials, burning improperly or burning during a fire ban or advisory.

Any person who ignites, fuels, supervises, maintains or permits an outdoor fire within the municipal boundaries of Strathcona County without a permit or in violation of burning regulations (e.g. during a fire ban) can be fined up to $2,000.

Should the fire get out of control and emergency fire response is required, the person responsible for the fire may be charged firefighting costs.

If your fire causes damage to others' property, you may also be responsible for the costs to repair the damage, whether you have a valid permit or not.

Emergency Services compiles and reviews current and forecasted data such as humidity, ground moisture, temperature and precipitation specific to Strathcona County. This information determines the Fire Weather Index. There are five levels to the index, low, moderate, high, very high and extreme. 

Other factors reviewed include:

• Risk of a fire getting out of control
• Relation between temperature and humidity
• Water restrictions or water bans
• Resources for firefighting available

We always encourage our residents to follow safe burning practises. All residents with a fire permit must call the Burning Status line at 780-464-8464 or text the word “BURN” to 587-340-3696 before burning, to make sure burning is allowed.

Fire bans are declared and lifted by the Fire Chief or designate.

Chimineas and portable fire pots (pits or bowls) fall under then definition of "fire pits" and therefore do not require a fire permit There must be at least three metres clearance from any combustible materials and the front opening and the stack must be covered with a metal screen with a mesh size no larger than 13 mm.

When positioning your chiminea, find a level, immovable, non-combustible surface to set it on. Do not put your chiminea in a gazebo, on a wooden surface or in an enclosed porch. Insulate the bowl with sand or pea gravel to approximately 10 cm below the lower lip of the mouth so that the fire is not in direct contact with the clay.

Store your chiminea inside a shed or garage during the winter. The combination of freezing temperatures and moisture could cause it to crack. Place it on a pallet or pieces of wood so that air can circulate underneath.