M.D. of Taber issue Fire Advisory

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Taber Times

Southern Alberta Newspapers

A Fire Advisory is in effect for the Municipal District of Taber as of July 26.

Due to the hot, dry conditions that are forecasted to continue, the Municipal District of Taber has issued a Fire Advisory within the municipal boundaries until further notice.

With the Fire Advisory in effect, the public is advised that a higher fire risk exists.

Under the Fire Advisory, fire permits continue to be issued. We ask that you use extra caution while performing any controlled burn. Items permitted include:

• Paper products

• Untreated wood (wood or wood products that do not contain preservatives)

• Yard waste (grass/tree clippings, leaves, branches, fallen trees, brush, weeds, etc.)

• Straw and stubble

Items prohibited, even with a fire permit include:

• Wood or wood products that contain preservatives

• Non-wooden material

• Waste material from construction sites (untreated wood is permitted)

• Plastics (including chemical or pesticide containers, silage plastic, grain bags, and baler twine. However, these items can be recycled at our collection site locations.)

• Rubber (including tires)

• Animal manure or cadavers

• Pathological waste

• Combustible material in automobile bodies

• Oil

The Municipal District of Taber will continue to review this situation and consider changes to the Advisory if conditions warrant it. There is no desire to have the Advisory in place for any longer than necessary – the goal is to advise the public of the hot, dry conditions causing the higher risk of fire, to protect persons, and property, and to reduce excess costs to ratepayers.

View the Municipal District of Taber Fire Services Bylaw No 1956 or the Fire Ban Implementation Policy for insight into the types of Fire Bans issued.

For additional information contact:

• Nathan Coté – Regional Fire Chief 403-223-1180.

• Brandon Bougie – Deputy Regional Fire Chief 403-223-1180.

Visit www.albertafirebans.ca to view the Fire Ban status for the M.D.T and across the Province.

Fire Ban Implementation Policy

The M.D. of Taber has developed the following criteria when implementing an Advisory, Fire Restriction or Fire Ban. This Policy applies to all campgrounds, hamlets and rural areas within its municipal borders.

No restriction

• No restrictions on open fires. Fire permits are issued without reservation. Permits must be obtained before burning.

Fire advisory

• The public is advised that a higher risk of fire exists. Fire permits continue to be issued.

Fire restriction 

• Not permitted:

 – Any open fires or campfires at the Grand Forks or Sherburne Campgrounds.

• Permitted:

 – Pre-inspected and pre-approved field and bale stack fires.

 – Campfires at the Enchant Campground, the Taber Municipal Park, the Lions Campground, the Hamlet of Grassy Lake Campground and the Hamlet of Hays Campground.

Fire Ban 

• All fire permits are cancelled.

• Permitted: NRCB-approved covered incinerator, propane BBQ, propane fire table, charcoal BBQ, and pellet BBQ.