Uncontrolled and unauthorised burning of garbage and other waste in Red Deer County (RDC) is something residents and visitors are being reminded to avoid, officials said last week.
While burning of waste and debris may be the simplest method of cleaning up a work site, burning without a permit or fire department supervision can come at a very steep cost, said Karen Martel, RDC fire chief administrative assistant
“The penalty for violating RDC's Fire Services Bylaw 2012/14 ranges from $500 to $10,000,” said Martel. “Once anyone lights a match, and starts a burn, it becomes their responsibility.”
Martel said there have been no recent incidents of illegal burning but officials want remind people that they don't want to see any this summer.
According to RDC and provincial solid waste management policy, different materials have different destinations. Recyclable materials should be taken to recycle facilities, waste chemicals should go to hazardous waste centres, and burnable materials should be incinerated in a safe fashion, with appropriate safeguards for public safety.
“County policy states that no charge fire permits should be applied for through the fire department in-person or over the phone with full information on where, when and what the burn will entail,” said Martel adding that permits cannot be transferred.
The regulations clearly state what is permitted and what is not with regards to type of burning vessel and type of material to be incinerated including consequences for not obeying the bylaw.
“Non-permitted burning can be a problem,” she said. “While we do not have a problem with that right now, we do know that it does occur and wait for public complaints to act on such activities.”
RDC Fire Services Bylaw is in agreement with the Province of Alberta waste burning regulations and the Alberta Environmental Protection Act.
Further information on solid waste management can be found at www.rdcounty.ca or contact operational services at 403-350-2160.
