Regional Fire Services

Ponoka County Regional Fire Services oversees the operation of 2 Fire Departments.

If you have any questions regarding the fire departments please contact
Donna Noble, Protective Services Coordinator/DEM by email [email protected] or by phone at 403-783-3333, or
Peter Hall, CAO by email [email protected] or by phone at 403-783-3333.    

If your call is an emergency please call 9-1-1

East District Fire Department (6705 46 Avenue, Ponoka)
Boundaries:
Everything East of the Fifth Meridian Road (Rge Rd 10) including the Town of Ponoka
 
West District Fire Department (4911 46 Avenue, Rimbey)
Boundaries :
Everything West of the Fifth Meridian Road (Rge Rd 10) including the Town of Rimbey, Summer Village of Parkland Beach  and the Hamlet of Bluffton.

Ponoka County Fire Protection Bylaw 3-22-FP
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For all other contact information please visit our contact page.

FireSmart Canada is living with and managing for wildfire.  Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility. Protecting your home from wildfire starts with simple actions. Whether you are doing regular yard maintenance or making large scale changes during renovations or landscaping, you can make choices that will help protect your home from wildfire.  Some of the measures cost very little and can help reduce the vulnerability of your home to wildfire; others require planning and long-term commitment.   There is great resources on the web site. Check out the FireSmart Begins at Home App.

• Home Construction – Use fire resistant building materials such as stucco, fire resistant shingles and double or triple pane windows can reduce the risk of fire sparks and embers igniting your home.  FireSmart Home Development Guide
• Determine your risk 
• Yard and Landscaping – You may already be taking actions that help to reduce your risk to wildfire; mowing and watering your lawn, planting fire resistant plants in your garden and using rock mulch instead of wood mulch can reduce your risk of wildfire.           FireSmart Homeowner’s Manual 
• Vegetation and Fuels - Preparing your property does not mean removing all the trees and shrubs. There are a few key things you can do to protect your home from wildfire:
  • Prune tree branches to a minimum height of 2 metres
  • Remove all combustible trees, long grass, shrubs, logs, branches, twigs and needles and grass mowed and watered within 10 metres of structures/buildings
  • Thin trees (with 3-6 metres between crowns) for at least 30 metres from any structure
  • Store firewood a minimum of 10 metres away from any structures (avoid down slope location)
  • Contact your utility company if trees or branches are not clear of power lines
  • FireSmart your fire pit or burning barrel
  • Clear your driveway of trees to a distance of at least 3 metres on either side
• Farm and acreage – Each property is unique but a range of actions can help you to reduce your risk of wildfire. Focus on the following areas:
  • Fences and ditch lines managed for dry grasses, weeds and brush
  • Store bales, feed and firewood well away from any structures
  • Consider vegetation management for outbuildings, barns and unused land
• Last Minute Wildfire Checklist​

Fire Advisory In Place (May 20, 2025)

 As a result of the recent moisture, Ponoka County Regional Fire Services has amended the fire advisory for all areas in their response area. Open burn and fireworks permits will be approved on a case-by-case basis only.  Unfortunately not all areas of Ponoka County experienced the same amount of rainfall.   

The use of backyard fire pits, BBQ, burning barrels with a screen, incinerators (for farm and acreage use), smokers and gas powered appliances are not affected at this time. Residents are encouraged to refrain from non-essential burning or activities which may result in a fire (eg. fireworks/exploding targets).  Thanks for helping keep our residents safe.

​Fire Permits Once Again Required - March 1 to October 31

Ponoka County is responsible for the administration of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act within the County.
During the Fire Season (March 1st to October 31st), any person lighting a fire for any purpose, other than for burning household garbage or campfires in approved containers/methods, must have a valid fire permit.  You may be liable for fire suppression costs and/or penalties as provided by law for any damage or suppression that may occur while burning without a valid permit.
Most fire calls and associated costs can be easily avoided if precautions and extra care are taken.  For example:

• Do not start a fire when weather conditions are conductive to a fire rapidly escaping out of control;
• Establish a safe site for burning household garbage or campfires (in approved containers such as a burning barrel with mesh screens in place);
• Keep grass and other fine fuels around burning areas mowed and cleaned;
• Never leave fires unattended.

Please note – FIRE BANS may be implemented in extremely dry conditions. 
Watch for updates emailed to you when you apply for the permit using the new County app. Listen for ban information on your local radio station. Check the County website at www.ponokacounty.com or the Alberta Fire Ban website at https://www.albertafirebans.ca/

Fire permits may be obtained free of charge by:

1. Using the new Ponoka County Mobile app (free app) available at Google Play and the App Store. 
2. On the Ponoka County website     www.ponokacounty.com
3. Attending or phoning the Ponoka County Administration Office at 4205 – Highway 2A in Ponoka, 403-783-3333, during regular business hours (Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 4:30pm).

​While burning may be the simplest way to clean up a site, you may be breaking the law.  Keep in mind under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, burning certain materials is illegal.  Burnable debris includes: brush/fallen trees, straw, stubble, grass, weeds, leaves, tree prunings and wood/wood products NOT containing preservatives.  Prohibited debris include:  animal manure, plastic (including baler twine), rubber (including tires), containers that held pesticides/chemicals, and wood/wood products containing wood preservatives.  For more information check out Prohibited Debris: Before You Burn . . . Learn!!

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Fire permit conditions:  (these conditions are on the back of each fire permit issued)

Conditions