Town of Ponoka

The Ponoka County Regional Fire Services recently issued a Fire Advisory for the Town of Ponoka.

Under the advisory, open burn permits (in the industrial park only) and fireworks permits will be approved on a case-by-case basis. 

Residents are encouraged to refrain from non-essential burning until conditions improve.

At this time, the following is still permitted, but please proceed with extra caution:

• Backyard fire pit (with a mesh screen attended at all times). Please have a water source nearby;
• Barbecues (propane/charcoal briquette) and smokers; and
• Gas and liquid powered appliances (eg, stoves, lanterns and propane fire rings).

Always remember to use extreme caution while using your fire pits. An 'under control' fire can change in seconds or minutes.

Fire Pit Safety

When using bylaw-compliant fire pits, citizens are urged to use extreme caution and never leave a fire pit unattended. Be aware of the weather conditions at all times and be sure to completely extinguish the flames and hot embers after you are done using your fire pit. 

All fire pits within the Town of Ponoka are required to:

• Be at least three metres from buildings, property lines, or anything else that could catch fire;
• Be equal to or less than 0.6 metres (two feet) high;
• Be equal to or less than one metre (three feet) wide;
• Have fully enclosed sides made of bricks, concrete blocks, heavy-gauge metal or other non-combustible materials; 
• Have a non-combustible mesh screen that covers the top of the fire pit with openings no larger than 1.25 cm (.5 inches) to stop sparks from flying out; and
• Have a water hose, fire extinguisher or some other acceptable means of controlling or extinguishing the fire nearby.

Thanks for helping keep the residents and community safe.

For more information, please visit the Alberta Fire Bans website.