Today (March 1st) is the start of the fire permit season for Lacombe County.

Lacombe County Fire Chief Drayton Bussiere says this year's fire permit season is a full month earlier than last year, to coincide with changes made by the provincial government.

“The biggest justification from the provinces end was that we are getting into drier spring months, so it’s good to start these kind of things earlier, gives everybody some time to kind of get caught up and those type of things. I don’t think of Lacombe County as any different, I think our springs have been a bit dryer and the more things we can do to prevent any unnecessary fires, the better it is.”

Of course not everyone has to get a permit if they want to have a small fire in their backyard, as long as it's contained to the pit.

Bussiere says if it's bigger than that, you need a permit.

“Everybody that wants to do any significant burning, and by significant I mean outside of a fire pit for the purpose of cooking or warming, needs a fire permit within the County of Lacombe.”

Anyone caught burning without the necessary permits will be required to pay for the fire department response fees, including a flat fee of $300.

To get a permit, you can stop by the county office, or click here to purchase one from the county’s website.