Any person who ignites, fuels, supervises, maintains or permits an outdoor fire within the municipal boundaries of Strathcona County without a permit or in violation of burning regulations (e.g. during a fire ban) can be fined up to $2,000.

Should the fire get out of control and emergency fire response is required, the person responsible for the fire may be charged firefighting costs.

If your fire causes damage to others' property, you may also be responsible for the costs to repair the damage, whether you have a valid permit or not.

Immediate danger to life or properties should be reported to 9-1-1.

Non-emergent complaints can be directed to Enforcement Services 24-hour complaint line at 780-467-7741. Please provide the exact address of the complaint to assist with the investigation.  

Complaints may include incidents of excessive or toxic smoke, burning prohibited materials, burning improperly or burning during a fire ban or advisory.

As per Outdoor Fire Bylaw 4-2021, it is illegal to burn:

• food waste
• animal carcasses and manure
• treated construction materials
• wire
• insulation
• rubber and plastics
• herbicides and pesticides
• any other toxic materials which may produce dense black smoke
• painted, stained or pressure treated wood
• railroad ties

The above materials must be disposed of by other means, such as using a waste collection service or Strathcona County’s  Enviroservice Station. For more information, call Utilities at 780-449-5514.

Fires that require a fire permit include open fires and burn barrels. Fire permits are not issued for properties within:

• Sherwood Park
• Ardrossan
• Josephburg
• North and South Cooking Lake
• Antler Lake
• Hastings Lake
• Half Moon Lake
• Collingwood Cove

Fires that do not require a fire permit include recreational fire pits (pots, bowls, fire tables or chimineas) and smudge fires.

Fire permit holders must call Strathcona County’s 24 hour Burning Status Line at 780-464-8464 or text the word “BURN” to 587-340-3696 each time you burn to confirm that conditions allow for burning.