Photo Courtesy Alberta Wildfire

By Tanner Smith

Free Fire Permits

Fire permits in effect for the County of Grande Prairie

Feb 22, 2024 | 2:53 PM

The County of Grahnde Prairie is asking residents planning on operating a burn barrel or fire pit, to now apply for a free permit.

Fire permits are now required as wildfire season has started early this year, due to a lack of snow coverage and overall dry conditions.

A simplified request can be made if the inspected burn barrel or pit hasn’t been moved since it’s last inspection.

However, “new requests involve a mandatory inspection by a fire guardian,” according to District Fire Chief Matt Smith.

Residents are also being reminded these permits do expire each year on December 31, so any permits issued in 2023 are no longer valid.

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Anyone wanting to apply for a free fire permit can do so by clicking here.

With the drier-than-usual conditions, Smith also gave a warning about hold-over fires to anyone planning on burning; “an extinguished burn pile may have smouldering underground embers, known as a hold-over fire, that could be reignited by spring winds when dry grasses are uncovered.”

The county would also like to remind residents, even with a permit, burning is never permitted when wind speeds exceed 12km/hr.

Currently, the Grande Prairie Forest Management Area has a fire advisory in place.