Construction and placement

• Use a fire pit made from material that will not burn, such as metal, brick or stone.
• Set it on bare ground or a surface that will not burn. 
• Keep the open flame area no more than one meter across at its widest point. 
• Fire pit walls must be no more than 75 cm high, measured from ground level, excluding chimneys. 
• Keep the fire pit at least 1.5 metres from property lines, buildings, fences and other materials that can burn.
• Do not place it directly beneath trees or overhanging branches. 

Burning rules

• Burn only clean, dry firewood.
• Keep flames no more than one metre high. 
• Do not burn between 1:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. 
• Do not burn when winds are blowing or gusting at 30 km/h or more. 
• Never leave the fire unattended. 
• Keep a way to extinguish the fire close at hand. 
• Put the fire out completely and make sure the ashes are cold before leaving. 

Materials you cannot burn

• Treated or painted wood
• Wood products containing glue or resin
• Wet or unseasoned wood
• Leaves, brush or yard waste
• Garbage
• Rubber, tires or plastic
• Animal remains

Penalties

The penalties for improper use of a fire pit include:

• Burning during a fire ban - $200
• Burning during prohibited hours - $150
• Burning prohibited material - $150
• Burning when winds exceed 30 km per hour - $150
• Failure to comply with regulation - $150

• Always follow the guidelines. Download our Fire Pit Safety brochure for a quick reference.
• Check wind conditions. Strong winds can carry sparks and embers. Light winds can cause smoke to linger. 
• Help contain sparks. A metal grill or screen over a wood-burning fire pit can help prevent sparks and embers from escaping. 
• Always consider your neighbours. Fire pit smoke can harm health and affect your neighbour's comfort. Before lighting a fire, consider where the smoke will travel and who may be affected. 

To report an unsafe fire or a fire that may break the rules, call 403-327-3333. We assess complaints for public safety concerns and extinguish fires when needed. 

For questions about fire pit requirements, email fireprevention@lethbridge.ca or call 403-320-3811.

Call 9-1-1 if a fire pit poses immediate danger. 

Approval and timing

• Obtain approval before starting your burn.
• Follow the Open Burning Bylaw and all permit conditions. 
• The permit period is limited to one day (daylight hours only) or a reasonable time period as determined by the Fire Authority’s observations of the burn site.
• The Fire Authority may cancel a permit during a fire ban or at any other time. 

Safe burning

• Burn only permitted materials.
• Wind speeds must remain below 30 km/h.
• Keep at least one responsible adult present throughout the burn.
• Do not allow smoke to obscure visibility on nearby roads.
• Have adequate fire extinguishing equipment on site. 
• Consider how smoke and other effects of the burn may disturb neighbouring properties. 

Materials you can burn

Burnable debris means flammable debris or material that is not prohibited, including clean, dry wood.

Materials you cannot burn

• Manure or animal carcasses
• Materials that produce dense black smoke, including insulation from electrical wiring or equipment
• Asphalt roofing materials
• Hydrocarbons, plastic or rubber
• Treated or painted lumber
• Lumber products containing glue or resin
• Herbicides, pesticides or other toxic materials or substances
• Wet or unseasoned wood
• Leaves, brush or yard waste
• Garbage

Permit holder responsibilities

The permittee agrees to indemnify and save harmless the City of Lethbridge from all liability arising out of the operations authorized by the permit. The permittee agrees to pay the costs of fighting all fires caused by willful neglect or negligent violation of any condition and/or regulation set out in the permit.

As per the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition) Division B 5.2 Hot Works section and 2.8 Emergency Planning section:

• Hot works shall be performed only by personnel trained in the safe use of equipment in conformance with this section.
• Hot work equipment shall be maintained in good operating condition.
• Hot work equipment shall be examined for leakage or defects prior to each use.
• Leaks or defects found in hot work equipment shall be repaired prior to use.
• All valves shall be closed and gas lines bled when Class 2 gas hot work equipment is not in use.
• Electric hot work equipment shall be de-energized when not in use.
• The design and installation of oxygen-fuel gas equipment shall conform to NFPA 51, “Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes.”
• Unalloyed copper piping shall not be used for acetylene gas.
• Oil or grease shall not be used with equipment for oxygen.
• Cylinders of Class 2 gases shall conform to Part 3.

Except for the following, hot work shall be carried out in an area free of combustible and flammable contents. When it is not practical to undertake hot work in these areas:

1. Combustible and flammable materials within a 15 m distance from the hot work shall be protected against ignition.
2. A fire watch shall be provided during the hot work and for a period no less than 60 minutes after its completion.
3. A final inspection of the hot work area shall be conducted four hours after completion of work.

Any combustible and flammable material, dust or residue shall be:

1. Removed from the area where hot work is carried out, or
2. Protected against ignition by the use of non-combustible materials.

Combustible materials or building surfaces that cannot be removed or protected against ignition as required shall be thoroughly wetted where hot work is carried out. The exposed areas shall be examined for ignition of combustible materials by personnel equipped with and trained in the use of fire extinguishing equipment. At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be provided in the hot work area.

A Fire Safety Plan shall be prepared in cooperation with the Fire Department and other applicable regulatory authorities. It shall include:

• The emergency procedures to be used in case of fire, including sounding the fire alarm, notifying the Fire Department, instructing occupants on procedures to be followed when the fire alarm sounds, evacuating occupants including special provisions for persons requiring assistance and confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire
• The training of supervisory staff and other occupants in their responsibilities for fire safety

1. The original or a copy of this permit must always be carried in the vehicle or vehicles.
2. The applicant shall keep the City fully indemnified from any loss or damage that may arise from the transportation of the said dangerous goods.
3. The applicant shall take every precaution necessary to prevent damage to property or injury to person or persons as a result of the transportation of the dangerous goods.
4. When loading or unloading dangerous goods, no portion of the vehicle shall protrude on or into any pedestrian or vehicular right of way.
5. Failure to comply with the conditions of this permit may result in prosecution.
6. A copy of the permit is sent to the Lethbridge Public Safety Communication Centre for their records.