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Fire Advisory in Effect for Town of Ponoka

With the recent moisture and the upcoming forecasts, Ponoka County Regional Fire Services has revised its Fire Advisory effective immediately in its response area which includes the Town of Ponoka.

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

The following is still permitted in the Town of Ponoka:

  • 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.

Users are responsible for the care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during dry conditions. Always remember to use extreme caution when using fire pits, burn barrels and conducting any open burning. An ‘under control’ fire can change in a matter of 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.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe. For updates on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across Alberta, including the Town of Ponoka, please click here.