Mountain View County - Fire & Firework Permits & Regulations

Steps to Take for Controlled Burns in Mountain View County:

1. Determine which area of Mountain View County you reside in (see MAP below):

Mountain View County encompasses two small portions of the Alberta Forest Protection Area (FPA) and therefore, cannot initiate fire permits, fire restrictions, or fire bans in areas located within the FPA. The full responsibility for these regulations lies with the Province of Alberta. If you live within Mountain View County's fire permitting area, you may proceed to Step 2. If you live within the Forest Protection Area, you must contact the appropriate Forestry Office(s), as below:

1. West of RR 54 from Twp Rd 310 to the South Boundary
   West of Water Valley.
   Covered by Calgary Forestry office: 403-297-8800 or 310-0000 toll free
2. West of RR 60 from Twp Rd 312 to the North Boundary
   West of Sundre and Bergen, covers Coal Camp, Bearberry.
   Covered by Rocky Mtn. House Forestry office: 403-845-8250 or 310-0000 toll free

Forest Protection Area Map: 

2. Apply for your Burn Permit: 

You can now apply for all types of permits—Fire, Fireworks, and Consumer Fireworks—online in one convenient place. Previously, fireworks permits required a different portal, but we've streamlined the process for your convenience. Simply click the link below to access the Burn Permits portal for Mountain View County and apply for your permit:

CLICK HERE --> Burn Permits - Mountain View County 

Residents without internet access may apply for a permit by calling the County Office at 403-335-3311.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the New User:

1. Visit https://mvc.burnpermits.com/ in your browser.
2. Click “New User”.
3. Enter your email address and click "Create Account".
4. Select permit type and enter your name, phone number and address (click to expand).
   note: if you use the same phone # here that you intend to use when you call to activate your permit, the system will automatically recognize this, along with any associated burn permits you have applied for.
5. Create a password (save this for future permits) and click “Continue”.
6. Add an address for the burn location.
7. Indicate property ownership/rental status.
8. Use the map to locate your burn location (you may move the red arrow for preciseness); click “Add Address”.
9. Select the address of the burn location and click "Continue".
10. Agree to all terms and the Fire Bylaw (2 boxes must be checked), then click “Continue”.
11. Upload photos/documents if required (this typically only applies to certain firework permits). If N/A, click "Continue".
12. Sign, using the auto-generated signature or with your mouse, choose a notification method; click “Continue”.
13. Instantly download your permit.
14. Permit is valid for 30 days from issue. You may call the number below to activate it immediately or on the day of your burn. 
15. Call TOLL-FREE 1-833-686-6555 to activate your permit before each burn.

IMPORTANT: 
When an application is successfully submitted, you may download your permit, which outlines your permit number (eg: 2022 - 000001). This number is what you need to conduct your burn, so record or take a screen-shot of the issued number and keep that number with you at all times. Once you have this document and permit number saved and/or recorded, you do not need any other documentation. You must only call the toll-free number in Step #15, above, to activate your permit in order to proceed with your planned burn.

Note: If conditions also dictate, the County (or the Province) may institute a fire restriction or fire ban at any time of the year. Under these circumstances all burns must be extinguished and new burns are not permitted.

3. Conducting Your Burn:

Mountain View County residents outside of the Forest Protection Area are able to conduct their burn if all conditions for conducting a safe burn per the MVC Fire Bylaw 10/22 have been met. It is the responsibility of the applicant to:

• Be familiar with and abide by the requirements of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act, the regulations thereunder and Mountain View County's Fire Bylaw.
• Obtain permits for the west portion of Mountain View County that fall within the Forest Protection Area from the Province of Alberta through a Provincial Forest Office.

4. Determine if it is Safe to Burn

During certain times of the year, fire restrictions or bans may be enforced in Mountain View County and nearby communities due to dry or windy conditions.

• Full Fire Bans: All fires within the County are prohibited until further notice, and existing fires must be extinguished. Exceptions are made for contained fires in cooking and heating appliances using fluids, gases, briquettes, or pellets. See image below for further details.
• Partial Fire Bans: Contained campfires with a screen and burning barrels, along with the aforementioned cooking appliances, are generally allowed. See the image below for details.

During any fire ban, previously issued fire permits are void, and new permits will not be issued until the ban is lifted.

Mountain View County Contacts: 

Information on fire bans will appear on our website, on our social media accounts, or can be viewed at the Alberta Fire Bans website.

Fireworks:

The online fireworks permitting system is available year-round, except during Fire Restrictions or Fire Bans. According to MVC Fire Bylaw (Bylaw 10/22), a permit is required for all fireworks use throughout the year. Mountain View County categorizes fireworks into two types:

• Consumer Fireworks: Low-hazard, recreational use.
• Display Fireworks: High-hazard, professional use.

For Display or extensive fireworks usage, contact the County office at 403-335-3311 ext 204 for more information. You can apply for your permit using our online system as described in Step 1 of the "Steps to Take for Controlled Burns in Mountain View County."

What is Permissible to Burn (when a Fire Restriction or Fire Ban is NOT in place):

Below is a graphic which outlines what is burnable or prohibited from burning. This applies only when a Fire Restriction or Fire Ban is NOT in place. To view the difference between a Fire Restriction and Fire Ban and what is permissible to burn during those periods, please continue scrolling to the image below, titled, "Fire Activity Restrictions Guide". For further information, please refer to our Fire Bylaw, located at Mountain View County - Bylaws

Fire Activity Restrictions Guide - when a Fire Restriction or Fire Ban IS in place:

Below is a graphic which outlines what is burnable or prohibited from burning when a Fire Restriction or a Fire Ban is in effect. For further information, please refer to our Fire Bylaw, located at Mountain View County - Bylaws

RESOURCES:

Mountain View County Fire Bylaw:

• MVC Fire Bylaw 10/22

Local Fire Department Contact Information:

Forestry Offices Contact Information: 

• Calgary Forestry office: 403-297-8800 
• Rocky Mountain House Forestry office: 403-845-8250 
• Calgary or Rocky Mountain Forestry Offices (Toll-Free): 310-0000
  
  

Wildfire Preparedness Guides:

• Bearberry Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan
• Bergen Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan
• Water Valley Area Structure Protection Pre-Plan

Alberta Wildfire Website:

• Alberta Wildfire Online

Fire Restrictions vs. Fire Bans; Why they are put into Place:

To learn more about the difference between Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans and why they are put in place, please view Reeve Angela Aalbers' informative video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnm6T062Lmk