Mountain View County - Fire Permits & Regulations

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

Effective July 24, 2024, Mountain View County has implemented a county-wide Fire Ban due to current and forecasted conditions. This ban will remain in place until further notice.

A common question we receive is with regard to propane appliances, and whether they form part of the fire ban. Please note that propane appliances are deemed as acceptable for use, with a caveat to always use extreme caution for any type of ignition source during a fire ban. Please refer to the image below for additional infomation. 

To learn more about the difference between Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans and why they are put in place, please view Reeve Angela Aalbers' informative video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnm6T062Lmk

** EFFECTIVE JULY 10, 2024: A FIRE BAN IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA **

Wildfire Preparedness Guides:

• Bearberry Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan
• Bergen Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan
• Water Valley Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan
  
  

The Steps to Take for Controlled Burns in Mountain View County:

1. Fire Permit

The online fire permitting system is open year round 

QUESTIONS? Please call 403-335-3311.

To view the MVC Fire Bylaw for further details see: MVC Fire Bylaw 10/22

Note: If conditions also dictate, the County (or the Province) may institute a fire restriction or fire ban at any time of the year. Under these circumstances all burns must be extinguished and new burns are not permitted.

2. Conducting Your Burn

Mountain View County residents outside of the Forest Protection Area are able to conduct their burn if all conditions for conducting a safe burn per the MVC Fire Bylaw 10/22 have been met.

Local Fire Department Contact Information

3. Determine if you live in the Forest Protection Area

The Alberta Forest Protection Area includes two portions of Mountain View County:

• West of RR 54 from Twp Rd 310 to the South Boundary (covered by Calgary Forestry office - 403-297-8800 or 310-0000 toll free). West of Water Valley.
• West of RR 60 from Twp Rd 312 to the North Boundary (covered by Rocky Mtn. House Forestry office - 403-845-8250 or 310-0000 toll free). West of Sundre and Bergen, covers Coal Camp, Bearberry.
• Alberta Wildfire Online

NOTE: Mountain View County cannot issue fire permits for these areas and cannot institute fire restrictions or bans in these areas. The full responsibility for these regulations is with the Province of Alberta.

4. Determine if it is Safe to Burn

During certain times of the year, due to dry and/or windy conditions, fire restrictions or fire bans may be implemented for Mountain View County and the surrounding communities and municipalities.

During full fire bans, fires within the County are banned until further notice, and all existing fires must be extinguished.

Exceptions are made for fires which are contained in cooking and heating appliances fueled by fluids, gasses, briquettes or pellets. During a partial ban, contained campfires with a screen and burning barrels are generally exempted along with the above outdoor cooking appliances.

During a partial or full fire ban, any fire permits that have been previously issued by the County will be void. New fire permits will not be issued until the ban is lifted.

Information on fire bans will appear on our website, on our social media accounts, or can be viewed at the Alberta Fire Bans website.

4. Determine what is Permissible to Burn

Below is a graphic which outlines what is burnable or prohibited from burning. For more information on this, please refer to our Fire Bylaw, located at Mountain View County - Bylaws