Town of Ponoka

With the recent storms, Ponoka County Regional Fire Services has downgraded the Fire Restriction that was previously in place with a Fire Advisory. The following is permitted under the current Fire Advisory in the Town of Ponoka at this time but will be reviewed as conditions change:

• Backyard, bylaw-compliant fire pits (with a mesh screen in place and attended at all times) and burning barrels (operated by large industrial users in the Froman Business Park).  Both can heat the ground around them resulting in a fire – water source required at all times;
• Incinerators (for farm & acreage use);
• Gas and liquid powered appliances (for example, stoves, lanterns and propane fire rings); and
• Barbecues (propane/charcoal briquette) and smokers.

Under the current Fire Advisory, open burn permits, in the industrial park, will only be approved at the discretion of the East District Fire Chief. In addition, the use of low hazard household fireworks is prohibited.   Special Event Pyrotechnic Fireworks will be approved on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

Users are responsible for the care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans.

Fire Pit Safety

When using bylaw compliant fire pits, citizens are urged to use extreme caution and never leave a fire pit unattended. An ‘under control’ fire can change in a matter of seconds. 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.

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