The use of the following items must meet Calgary’s Community Standards Bylaw for your safety and enjoyment, as well as your neighbours:
- Backyard fire pits
- Outdoor fireplaces
- Wood burning ovens
- Chimeneas
There had recently been a fire ban advisory issued on July 16 due to poor air quality in Calgary, which was then lifted on July 21. Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire.
When are fire pits allowed in Calgary?
- Between 10 a.m. and midnight, Sunday – Thursday; or
- Between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday.
Get familiar with optimal wind conditions before using a fire pit:
- High wind speeds may send smoke long distances or pose a fire hazard.
- Low wind speeds won’t easily disperse smoke and can contribute to poor air quality.
Consider putting a metal grill/screen on the top to help:
- reduce the flame’s size
- prevent sparks and embers from escaping and igniting nearby materials.
Other important rules for fire pits:
- Portable fire pits must sit on brick or stone, NOT directly on a wooden deck.
- Fire pits must be at least 2 meters away from your property line, house, garage or fence.
- Fire pits must NOT be under any materials that can catch fire.
- Fires in fire pits cannot be too large. It must be around 1 metre high and wide only.
- Only burn locally-purchase clean and dry firewood.
- Have a watering hose or bucket of water handy, so you can put out the fire easily if you need to.
- Do NOT leave your burning fire pit unattended.
More information: https://www.calgary.ca/csps/fire/safety-tips/safety-tips-home/fire-pits.html
Word of the Day:
Ignite: to catch fire; to light… on fire
