Wildfire season begins; permits needed for fires

Residents looking to do scheduled burns in the later stages of winter will now need a permit.

Wildfire season runs March 1 to October 31, and even though there is still snow on the ground, rural residents will need a permit.

If you live or work in the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 and wish to conduct any burning, including burning barrels, you must first obtain a permit from a Fire Guardian or should you live in the Alberta Forest Protection Area, from your Agriculture and Forestry Office.

A winter burn that has been burning over winter must be extinguished before Monday as Fire Guardians cannot issue a permit on an existing burn.

Notice of 48 hours is needed when requesting a fire permit, which comes with no cost.

The contact information for the Fire Guardians is on the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority’s website.