Fire Advisory in Effect for Town of Ponoka

The Ponoka County Regional Fire Services has implemented a fire advisory effective today, April 30 for the Town of Ponoka.

Citizens are encouraged to continue to use extreme caution and be fire smart when using:

• Bylaw-compliant fire pits (with a mesh screen) and burning barrels (in the industrial park only);
• Gas and liquid powered appliances (stoves, lanterns and propane fire rings); and
• Barbecues and smokers (propane/charcoal briquette).
  
  

Fire Pit Safety

When using bylaw-compliant fire pits, citizens are urged to use caution and never leave a fire pit unattended. Remember, an ‘under control’ fire can change in seconds or minutes.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.

When using a fire pit, only burn clean firewood. Please do not burn yard waste (cut grass, leaves or branches) or garbage.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe. For updates on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across Alberta, including the Town of Ponoka, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca/