By rdnewsNOW staff

FIRE PERMITS

Fire Permit Season Begins March 1

Feb 27, 2020 | 6:58 AM

LACOMBE COUNTY- In recent years, spring brought drier conditions very quickly, resulting in fire bans.

As the County prepares for the 2020 fire permit season, they remind residents that it’s important to practice safe burning practices throughout the year.

Burning without a fire permit can result in a hefty fine. In 2017, permit season was moved up a month – starting March 1 rather than April 1 – in response to changing environmental conditions, including drier spring conditions. Under Lacombe County’s Fire Protection Policy, anyone found burning without a permit will be required to pay for the fire department response fees.

A flat rate of $300 will be charged for responses to a fire when a person is in contravention of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act for failure to have a fire permit or any other provision of the Act and fire suppression is not required.

“It’s about public safety and burning responsibly,” said Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief. “Fire permits are free of charge and easy to obtain, yet we continue to have situations where people don’t take out a permit and can be charged under the bylaw. The intent here is not to generate revenue, but to ensure the safety of all Lacombe County residents and their neighbours.”

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Should a Fire Department respond to a fire for which a permit has not been issued, or if a permit has been issued and the permit holder contravenes any of the conditions of the permit, the property owner will be assessed costs at the following rates:

– Fire truck – $500 per hour

– Water truck – $300 per hour

– Rapid response unit/mini pumper – $300 per hour

– Equipment van – $300 per hour

– Equipment other than fire apparatus – Lacombe County cost

– Personnel other than fire department members – Lacombe County cost

Beginning on March 1, online fire permits can be submitted from the Lacombe County website homepage (www.lacombecounty.com), and through the “my Lacombe County” app (iPhone users).

People are also able to request permits in person at the Lacombe County Office, or by calling 403-782-8959.