Fire Department
Current Fire Ban, Restriction or Advisory
Fire Restriction - Effective September 9, 2020 
The fire ban set on August 19, 2020 has been lifted, and a fire restriction is now in place. There is a fire restriction on all open fires that require a permit including fire works. All open fires that require a permit are to be extinguished and any open burning permits cancelled. This restriction will be in effect until all areas in Foothills County receive substantial changes to the current dry conditions through moisture and approval is received to lift this restriction.
The Village of Longview is included in this Fire Restriction.
This Restriction does not apply to:
- Safe residential fire pits and safe campfires in campgrounds (Non-combustible unit 36 inches in diameter or less)
- Gas or propane stoves / barbecues when used in accordance to manufacturer’s specifications
- Charcoal briquette and solid fuel barbecues when used to manufacturer’s specifications
- Chiminea’s (with screen covers that are located on non-combustible surfaces)
- Internal household fire places
- Wood pellet smokers
- Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
- Burning barrels (steel drum no larger than 45gallons, with screen covers that are located on a non-combustible surface)
FIRE CONTROL ORDER
1. Rick Saulnier, Fire Chief of Foothills County in consultation with Council:
a. SUSPEND all fire permits issued under the authority of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act,
b. REQUIRE all outdoor fires that require a permit presently burning whether set under the authority of a fire permit or not, extinguished, and
c. PROHIBIT the lighting of any outdoor fires that require a permit within Foothills County.
2. This order INCLUDES FIREWORKS, TORCHES or LANTERNS with open flames and any other outdoor fires that require fire permits.
3. THIS ORDER does not apply to:
a. Safe residential fire pits and safe campfires in campgrounds. (Non-combustible unit 36 inches in diameter or less)
b. Gas or propane stoves / barbecues and portable propane fire pits when used according to manufacturer’s specifications.
c. Charcoal briquette and solid fuel barbecues when used according to manufacturer’s specifications.
d. Chiminea’s (with screen covers that are located on non-combustible surfaces).
e. Internal household fire places.
f. Wood pellet smokers.
g. Incinerators (for farm and acreage use).
h. Burning barrels (steel/metal drum no larger than 45 gallons, with screen covers that are located on a non-combustible surfaces).
4. THIS ORDER comes into effect at 05:30 p.m. on the 9th day of September 2020.
DATED at the Town of High River, in the Province of Alberta, this 9th day of September 2020.
Rick Saulnier, Fire Chief
Foothills Fire Department
IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
Fire Permits are mandatory in Foothills County
Open fires are allowed by obtaining a burning permit issued through the Online Burning Permit application .
Fire permits are required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area (excluding campfires).
You can get a fire permit by contacting the Environment and Sustainable Resource Development office in:
Calgary 403-297-8800
Blairmore 403-562-3210
For information on wildfire status: Alberta Wildfire Status
Fire Permits are mandatory in Foothills County!
Burning Permits & Regulations
The burning of prohibited debris is against the law. Prohibited debris includes but is not limited to this list:
- Tires
- Plastics
- Household Garbage
- Paint and paint cans
- Used motor oil
- Furniture
- Treated Products
Please only burn clean burnable debris. Other material can be disposed of at the Foothills Landfill and regular tipping fees will apply for Foothills County residents.
Thank you,
Foothills Fire
T: 403-603-3571
F: 403-254-3145
