By Liam Verster

Backyard fires

Backyard fires still allowed within City limits if rules are followed

Apr 17, 2020 | 3:33 PM

The weather is warming up, and with it comes the prospect of barbeques, sitting on the deck, and of course, having a backyard fire.

However, the City of Grande Prairie Fire Department is reminding the public that there are rules and regulations surrounding a fire on a property.

Trevor Schwabe, the Fire Information Officer, says there are a lot of requirements to having a fire pit. They are only allowed in the backyard and must be accompanied by a competent person of 18 years of age or older.

“And the big thing is here, sometimes if yards are too small, you might not be able to meet the requirements to have a fire pit. So one of those being is 10 feet or three metres from all combustibles, fences, decks, garages, trees and whatnot. Most yards meet that but some don’t that are quite small.”

Fire pits should also be dug in the ground, though portable ones are allowed when on a non-combustible platform.Fire pits should also be no more than one-metre in diametre, and be covered with a grate or screen. Only preservative free wood or wood products should be burnt.

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“Another thing too that’s important, is that people buy those portable fire pits and think they can use them on the deck, those kind of chimenea fire places. Those, just cut and dry, aren’t allowed to be on any combustible deck. They’ve got to be down on the yard, 10 feet away from all combustibles.”

He says the exception is with gas or propane fires, which can be had on a deck.

Schwabe adds that, in order to keep everyone safe, fires should not be lit when the wind is over 15 kilometres per hour. He also says having a mesh screen is important to keep the sparks arrested, and if possible, have a hose nearby and ready incase the fire gets out of control.

He adds that fires should always be completely out at the end of the night before leaving the pit unattended.

“Always when you’re done, put the fire totally out. Don’t leave it to burn down what’s left, the residual wood in the fire pit because it cleans it up. If you’re done for the night, put it totally out, so it’s cool to the touch. Then put more water on just to make sure there’s no sparks that could blow up in the middle of the night.”

Schwabe adds that permits are required in order to have a backyard fire. The owner of the property can fill out a Recreational Burning Permit online. A renter can also get a permit, though they must obtain written permission from the property owner in order to be approved.

Permits, however, can be revoked if the rules are being broken, especially if a fire is left unattended and still burning. In those cases, fines can also be issued.

At this time, backyard fires are still permitted within the City, but Schwabe says that may change soon, depending on the weather conditions.

“Right now there’s still snow on the ground, lots of ground water standing, but it doesn’t take long, especially with the wind, to get that dried out. So you get some hotter weather, winds, drier conditions, and then that’s when it all has to be looked at and decisions made for what’s best for the City of Grande Prairie.

He adds that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people shouldn’t be gathering in groups to hang around a fire, but advises that, if they do, to maintain that 2 metre physical distance, as directed by the chief medical officer of health.