By Sheldon Spackman

Fire Permit season in Lacombe County is starting earlier this year. Officials have moved it up by a month to March 1st to coincide with changes already made by the provincial government. In a release, Lacombe County Fire Chief Todd Gustafson says “In response to changing conditions in our environment, often resulting in drier spring conditions, the provincial government has moved up Fire Permit season by a month.”

Under Lacombe County’s Fire Protection Policy, anyone found burning without a permit will be required to pay for the fire department response fees. Gustafson adds, “It’s about public safety and burning responsibly. Fire permits are free of charge and easy to obtain, yet we continue to have situations where people don’t take out a permit and can be charged under the bylaw.”

Lacombe County has provided the following information regarding fines for burning without a permit:

Should a Fire Department respond to a fire for which a permit has not been issued, Lacombe County has provided the following information regarding what the property owner will be assessed:

• fire truck – $500 per hour
• water truck – $300 per hour
• rapid response unit/mini pumper – $300 per hour
• equipment van – $300 per hour
• equipment other than fire apparatus – Lacombe County cost
• personnel other than fire department members – Lacombe County cost

Beginning on March 1st, online fire permits can be submitted from the Lacombe County website homepage here:

https://lacombecounty.com/

Residents can also obtain fire permits through the new “my Lacombe County” app (Apple users). People are also able to request permits in person at the Lacombe County Office, or by calling 403-782-8959.