A Fire Restriction is now in place in Foothills County.

Fire Chief Rick Saulnier ordered the restriction in consultation with county council due to continued hot, dry conditions nearly two weeks after the Fire Advisory was put into place.

All outdoor fires requiring a permit must be extinguished, and all existing permits have been suspended.

According to the county's website, the order does not apply to:

  • Safe residential fire pits and safe campfires in campgrounds (Non-combustible unit 36 inches in diameter or less). 
  • Gas or propane stoves/barbecues when used in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications
  • Charcoal briquette and solid fuel barbecues when used to manufacturer’s specifications
  • Chiminea’s (with screen covers that are located on non-combustible surfaces)
  • Internal household fireplaces
  • Wood pellet smokers
  • Incinerators (for farm and acreage use), Burning barrels (steel drum no larger than 45 gallons, with screen covers that are located on a non-combustible surface) 

The restriction will be lifted once the area receives enough moisture to substantially reduce the risk of wildfires.

Okotoks and High River are not included in the restriction, and neither town currently has any restrictions of their own.