Fire Pit Permits and Burn Barrel Guidelines
For information on what activities are permitted during a fire ban visit: http://www.albertafirebans.ca/
Who Needs a Fire Pit Permit?
People who want to have fire pits or campfires on a residential property need a fire pit permit. No other type of burning is allowed. Burning without a current Permit is contrary to the City of Grande Prairie Bylaw C-1312.
Requirements:
- Residential fire pits are only allowed in backyards.
- Only registered owners are eligible to take out a Recreational Burning Permit. Renters must show written approval by the owner.
- Fire is always attended by a competent person of 18 years of age or older.
- A fire pit shall not be located closer than three meters from a property line and from any combustible material, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, fences, patio decks, trees, and foliage as measured from the nearest fire pit edge.
- A fire pit shall not be located less than 0.6 meters laterally from an underground utility line.
- The fire pit is either dug into the ground or constructed above the ground in a manner that will prevent the fuel from falling out of the container.
- The above-ground portion of the pit is constructed of stone, masonry, metal, or other non-combustible material.
- The fire pit should be no more than 3 feet/1 m in diameter or equivalent size if rectangular.
- The fire pit shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate with openings not to exceed 12.5 millimetres/ 1.25 centimetres in any dimension.
- Portable manufactured fire pits (including chimeneas) shall be located at a safe distance, approximately 10 feet/3 m, from all combustibles (i.e. houses, sheds, structures, fences, trees, decks, power lines, etc..).
- No portable manufactured fire pit (including chimeneas) shall be placed on a combustible surface or structure (i.e. wooden decks).
- Only burn preservative-free wood or wood products.
- Burning is not permitted with winds over 15 km/hr.
Burn Barrel
Burn Barrels will not be permitted for use in a Multi-Parcel Residential subdivision
Burn Barrels require a burning permit
Burn Barrel means a non-combustible structure or container located on public or private property, used for recreational open burning, and constructed pursuant to Bylaw C-1312
Requirements:
- Residential burn barrels are not permitted for use in a multi-parcel residential subdivision.
- Only registered owners are eligible to take out a Recreational Burning Permit. Renters must show written approval by the owner.
- Fire is attended by a competent person of 18 years of age or older at all times.
- Burn barrel shall not be located closer than ten (10) meters from a property line and from any combustible material, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, fences, patio decks, trees, and foliage as measured from the nearest Fire Pit edge.
- Burn barrel can not be located less than 0.6 meters laterally from an underground utility line.
- Burn barrels need to be cleared of all debris, down to bare soil three meters from the barrel.
- Metal barrel in good condition.
- Provided with three evenly spaced three-inch square vents, backed with a metal screen.
- Burn barrel shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate with openings not to exceed 12.5 millimetres/ 1.25 centimetres or 0.5 inches in any dimension.
- Burning is not permitted with winds over 15 km/hr.
- Only burn burnable debris, such as:
- straw and stubble
- grass and weeds
- leaves and tree prunings
- brush and fallen trees on newly cleared land or associated with logging operations
- wooden materials, which do not contain wood preservatives, from the construction or demolition of buildings
- other as listed in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.