Fire advisory issued for Ponoka County

PONOKA -- A fire advisory has been issued for municipalities across the Ponoka County region.

The advisory signals that conditions are dry or windy and acts as a warning that wildfire hazard has increased. As of today, advisories are in place for the Town of Ponoka, Ponoka County, the Town of Rimbey, and the Summer Village of Parkland Beach.

Under the advisory, open burn and fireworks discharge permits will be approved on a case-by-case basis, and extensions for existing permits may not be granted. Residents are encouraged to refrain from non-essential burning or activities which may result in a fire until conditions improve. This includes, but not limited to, heavy fuel burning such as machine-piled brush piles and windrows, fireworks & exploding targets.

In the Town of Ponoka, all fire pits are required to be at least three metres from buildings and property lines, and be equal to or less than two feet high. They must also have fully enclosed sides made of bricks, concrete blocks, heavy-gauge metal, or other non-combustible materials and a non-combustible mesh screen. Fire officials also ask residents to have a water hose, fire extinguisher, or some other acceptable means of controlling or extinguishing the fire nearby.

For updates on fire advisories, restrictions, and bans across Alberta, including the Town of Ponoka, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca/