Fire Advisory
Effective Tuesday, April 19th at 13:30 hours a Fire ADVISORY has been declared by the City of Airdrie Fire Department. This advisory represents a Moderate Fire Risk. Permit burning in the City of Airdrie has been banned due to current dry/ windy conditions. All outstanding burning permits are suspended until further notice.
This advisory shall remain in effect until such time as the Fire Chief’s Office deems appropriate to change for purposes of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and the City of Airdrie Fire Bylaw.
Exemptions to the Fire ADVISORY are listed as follows:
• Internal household fire places
• Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
• Regulated burning barrels
• Camp Stoves
• Solid fuel barbeques (charcoal briquettes)
• Liquid fuel barbeques, heaters and table top fires (propane and natural gas
• Recreational/residential camp fires (approved burn pit 24” in diameter or less)
• Chimeneas
• Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and
recreational areas.
Check www.firebans.ca for the most up to date info
Fire pit regulations
Thinking about installing a fire pit in your backyard? Below are guidelines to ensure your fire pit is up to code, and more importantly, safe for you and your family.
Installation guidelines
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A minimum of three metres clearance (measured from the nearest fire pit edge) must be maintained from buildings, property lines or other combustible material
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The fire pit height can not exceed 0.6 metres when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
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The fire pit opening can not exceed one metre in width or diameter when measured between the widest points or outside edges
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The fire pit must have enclosed sides made from bricks, concrete blocks or heavy gauge metal
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A spark arrestor mesh screen with openings no larger than 1.25 cm and constructed of expanded metal (or equivalent non- combustible material) must be used to cover the fire pit opening
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Clean, untreated wood is the only acceptable burnable material
Clay fire pots are not required to meet these regulations, but should have a layer of gravel or sand in the bottom to prevent the fire from burning through the bottom of the pot. They should always be placed away from combustible materials.
Commercial freestanding outdoor fireplaces enclosed in mesh must meet the installation guidelines listed above. For more information, refer to the fire pit regulations.
Small Propane Fire Pits:
In response to enquiries regarding small propane fire pits using 20 pound propane bottles or less, the Airdrie Fire Department offers the following information.
Given these items are not addressed directly in the current bylaw, the following recommendations are being used 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
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 the documentation from the manufacturer is not available, the minimum distance from combustibles allowed by the fire department will be 4 feet (1.22 metres) measured horizontally from any outer edge of the fire pit to any combustible item and 4 feet (1.22 metres) measured vertically from the burner of the device to any combustible item
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 reasons
No fire pit or device will be permitted to be fuelled by anything larger than a 20 pound bottle of propane
Please contact the Community Safety Officer of the Airdrie Fire Department at 403.948.8880 for further information