Fire Bans & Burning Regulations

The City of Chestermere has four fire hazard levels (aligned with provincial levels):

• No restriction (green) 
• Fire Advisory (yellow)
• Fire Restriction (orange)
• Fire Ban (red)

Fire Advisory Declared for The City of Chestermere

Due to current conditions, Chestermere Fire Services has issued a FIRE Advisory for the City of Chestermere: effective immediately. This advisory represents a moderate fire risk and will remain in effect until conditions improve.

For information on fire bans and advisories in other areas of the province, visit AlbertaFireBans.ca.

Fire Advisory – moderate fire danger. Chestermere Fire Services warns residents that a more restrictive fire ban may be coming or that there is a short-term concern like a major wind event which may increase the fire hazard level. During a fire advisory, open fires are allowed, but residents are reminded to be extra vigilant. Soaking the area adjacent to the fire pits with water is recommended.

No Restriction –  low fire danger. Chestermere Fire Services reminds residents that open fires are only permitted in acceptable fire pits and must be managed and extinguished properly.

Fire Advisory – moderate fire danger. Chestermere Fire Services warns residents that a more restrictive fire ban may be coming or that there is a short-term concern like a major wind event which may increase the fire hazard level. During a fire advisory, open fires are allowed, but residents are reminded to be extra vigilant. Soaking the area adjacent to the fire pits with water is recommended.

Fire Restriction – high fire danger. Fire hazard conditions are at a level where wildland fires can start and grow quickly. Certain types of open fires are restricted. No open wood burning fires or charcoal briquette bbqs are allowed. Wood burning fires in screened appliances such as indoor/outdoor fire places or Fourno ovens are permitted. Gas or propane stoves/bbqs and portable propane fire pits are allowed.

Fire Ban – extreme fire danger. No campfires, burning of wood products or charcoal briquettes allowed. Gas or propane stoves/bbqs and portable propane fire pits are allowed.

Fire burning regulations are outlined in the City of Chestermere’s Community Standards Bylaw (004-12).

While backyard fire pits do not require a permit, please ensure you are taking the proper safety precautions to keep you and your family safe.

• Never leave your fire unattended and be aware of the safety of children and pets
• Keep your fire small and watch for sparks and strong winds
• Burn only dry, clean wood
• The flames from the fire cannot exceed 1 metre in height at any time
• Have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby when using your fire pit
• Fires are only allowed to burn between 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

In response to inquiries regarding propane fire tables using 20-pound propane bottles or less, and portable propane fire pits, the Chestermere Fire Service offers the following information.

Given these items are not addressed directly in the National Fire Code and subject to interpretation in the current bylaw, the following recommendations are being stated to address any concerns regarding the use of these items.

• The use of these items must follow the manufacturer’s suggested minimum clearance from combustible items: both vertically and horizontally.
• If the documentation from the manufacturer is not available the minimum distance from combustibles allowed by the fire department will be 4 feet (1.22 meters) measured horizontally from any outer edge of the fire pit to any combustible item, and 7 feet (2.11 meters) measured vertically from the burner of the device to any combustible item.
• The owner of the residence where these items are being used is responsible to provide documentation from the manufacturer showing the minimum clearances from combustibles to fire crews if requested.
• If documentation is not provided, or the minimum clearance distance cannot be achieved, the fire pit must be extinguished and not used in that location for safety reason.
• No fire pit or device will be permitted to be fueled by anything larger than a 20-pound propane bottle.

This item is addressed in the Community Standards Bylaw 004-12. The Fire Service therefore offers the following for clarification.

• The requirements of Section 9 of the Community Standards Bylaw need to be complied with in its entirety.
• A non-combustible material needs to be placed under the propane fire pit if it is not already on a non-combustible surface. Examples of materials are brick, stone, or concrete blocks.
• The portable fire pit cannot be placed within 4 meters of a combustible structure or a fence on a property line.

Please contact the Chestermere firehall at 403-272-9878 for further information.