Burning and Fire Permits

Fire permits

You can obtain a fire permit for up to a 90-day period depending on the type of burning. They are free of charge and available online or in person at the following locations:

Residents can now choose to create an account on the fire permit site.  It will auto-fill your name and address information from your profile and show you a list of your permit applications.  Please review these registration instructions or call Customer Service if you require any assistance at 780-968-8888

Apply for a fire permit online

The Fire Permit Bylaw governs burning activities in Parkland County.

Note: Fire hazard ratings and conditions may restrict the length of your fire permit.

What can I burn?

You can burn non-combustible debris such as:

• straw and stubble
• grass and weeds
• leaves, tree prunings, brush and fallen trees on newly cleared land or associated with logging operations
• wooden materials which do not contain preservatives

You cannot burn prohibited or combustible waste as they may release dense smoke, offensive odours or toxic substances. Prohibited waste includes:

• animal manure
• pathological waste
• non-wooden material
• waste material from building or construction sites, excluding wooden materials that do not contain preservatives
• combustible material in automobile bodies
• tires
• rubber/plastic, or anything coated with rubber /plastic or similar substances, except if attached to shredded scrap steel
• used oil
• wood/wood products containing preservatives

Do I need to put out any signage during my burn? 

If burning within 1/2 KM (500m) of a Primary or Secondary highway, smoke signs are required

• Permittee may borrow (with refundable deposit) and post two (2) "smoke" signs to be posted along the highway from Parkland County or Alberta Transportation
• Signs must be placed for both directions of traffic to see the signs
• Additional signs may be required if burning close to an intersection
• Must get approval to place "smoke" sign(s) on the highway from Alberta Transportation at 780-963-5711

How do I submit a burning complaint?

Am I allowed to burn my crops?

The Government of Alberta has produced a fact sheet for Un-harvested and overwintered crops here including potential downsides to crop burning.  If you are considering burning what is left of your crops before seeding this spring, please note the following:

BEFORE YOU BURN:

1. Call your insurer before you burn. Some insurers may want to inspect your crop as part of the claim process, and burning the crop down prior to speaking with your insurer could negatively affect your ability to file a claim. Don't lose out on a potential claim payout.
2. Apply for a Parkland County fire permit. You are permitted to have an open burn with a permit for up to 90 days once the permit has been approved. 
3. Disc or cultivate around the burn area.  Be sure to have a tractor with a disc or a cultivator on hand - if you do not, talk to your neighbours and see if they have one you can borrow. Consider plowing a fire guard around your field to prevent the fire from getting out of control.
4. Bale the crop so you can burn it in a controlled manner

WHILE YOU BURN:

Have a mobile phone ready and be prepared to call 911 if the fire gets out of control. The earlier you call, the better. Don't attempt to extinguish the fire yourself - call us first.