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Fire Services

FIRE BAN STATUS

FIRE ADVISORY
Current as of August 29, 2025

No new fire permits are being issued at this time. Existing valid permits remain in effect. Safe wood campfires, burning barrel fires, and incinerator fires are still permitted. 

Fire Bans & Restrictions

Fire bans are issued to help protect residents, property, and the environment when fire risk is elevated. Depending on weather and environmental conditions, the County may issues a Fire Advisory, Fire Restriction, or Fire Ban.

You can check the County's current fire restrictions or view fire bans across Alberta on the Alberta Fire Bans Website.

Fire Advisory

A Fire Advisory is issued when the fire danger level is increasing. There may be no restrictions or very specific restrictions in place. For example, burns with already activated fire permits may continue, but no new permits will be issued or activated. Fires that do not require a permit - such as recreational fires, burning barrels, and residential incinerators - can continue as normal. 

Fire Restriction (Partial Fire Ban)

A Fire Restriction limits most burning activities. Fires that do not require a permit - such as backyard fire pits, burning barrels, and residential incinerators - are generally still allowed. However, all fire permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued. 

Fire Ban (Total Fire Ban)

A fire ban prohibits all outdoor fires, including those that would normally be exempt. This includes recreational fires, campfires, and fires in burning barrels or incinerators. 

Fire & Fireworks Permits

FIRE PERMITS

A County Fire Permit is required year-round for any outdoor burning except recreational fires, burning barrel fires, and residential incinerator fires. Permits help regulate fires during specific weather conditions and ensure safe burning practices. 

Permits can be obtained by contacting Protective Services or filling out a Fire Permit Request Form online. You will need to provide:

  • your contact information
  • closest fire department
  • land location of the fire
  • type of material you will be burning

Fire Permits are not valid until signed by an approved County Fire Guardian. Once you receive a valid permit you MUST contact the number on the permit to inform East Central 911 of where and when you will be burning.

NOTE: If a Fire Restriction or Fire Ban has been declared, all previously issued permits are suspended. It is the landowner's responsibility to ensure there is not a current Fire Ban on prior to burning. If the Fire Ban is lifted prior to the expiration date on your permit, your permit becomes valid again.

 Request a Fire Permit Fire Permit Info Sheet

*During a partial or total fire ban, the Request a Fire Permit link will not work.

FIREWORKS PERMITS

Please contact Protective Services at least 7 days before your display to allow sufficient processing and inspection time. 

Become a Volunteer Firefighter

The County of Vermilion River Fire Service is looking for dedicated and motivated individuals to join our team! Volunteer firefighters play a vital role in protecting our communities. As a volunteer firefighter, you’ll gain valuable skills, build camaraderie with your team, and make a real difference in the lives of others.

The County Fire Service is a network of firefighters protecting communities across eight fire stations. We own and operate four department in Blackfoot, Clandonald, Dewberry, and Islay, and collaborate with the departments in Kitscoty, Marwayne, Paradise Valley, and Vermilion. We’re all working together to keep our communities safe.

Looking for a rewarding opportunity to give back?

We understand that volunteering as a firefighter is a significant commitment. The good news is, there’s a role for everyone! Whether you’re only available during the day, night, or only for specific types of calls (medical emergencies, fire response, motor vehicle collisions, etc.), your skills and willingness to service are highly valued. Even if you’re not comfortable battling blazes, your expertise could be crucial in other emergency situations. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, both those who live within the County and those who work here.

We are currently seeking passionate individuals to join our volunteer firefighter teams in:

  • Blackfoot
  • Clandonald
  • Dewberry
  • Islay
  • Kitscoty
  • Marwayne
  • Paradise Valley

 Ready to Join?

Click the button below to learn more and apply today!

Join Now!

Need More Information?

Email Us

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

The County Fire Service is made up of eight stations. Four of these stations are owned and operated by the County while the remaining four are operating under agreements with our municipal neighbours.

County Fire Chief
Kirk Hughes

Fire & Rescue District Maps

Fire Districts Rescue Districts

If you are curious about the different types of apparatus used throughout the County Fire Service:

Fire Services Fleet Apparatus

Blackfoot Fire & Rescue

County of Vermilion River

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
John McGerrigle

Deputy Chief

# of Volunteers
24

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

  • 4 Bay Hall (shared with County Public Works)
  • Pumper
  • Tanker
  • Rapid Responder 

Interested in joining Blackfoot Fire? Check out our recruitment section above!

Clandonald Fire

County of Vermilion River

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Josh Anderson

Deputy Chief
Brent Farrell

# of Volunteers
24

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

  • 3 Bay Hall (shared with County Public Works)
  • Pumper
  • Tanker
  • Crew Truck

Interested in joining Clandonald Fire? Check out our recruitment section above!

Dewberry Fire & Rescue

County of Vermilion River

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Kevin McDonald

Deputy Chiefs
Dave Haney
Ken Haney

# of Volunteers
23

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

  • 3 Bay Hall
  • Pumper
  • Tanker
  • Light Rescue
  • Wildland/Rescue
  • Kubota Side-by-Side (Wildland)
  • Utility Trailer

Interested in joining Dewberry Fire? Check out our recruitment section above!

Islay Fire

County of Vermilion River

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
George Steiner

Deputy Chiefs
Grant Roberts
Cam Stevenson

# of Volunteers
24

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

  • 2 Bay Hall (shared with Public Safety)
  • Pumper
  • Wildland

Interested in joining Islay Fire? Check out our recruitment section above!

Kitscoty Fire & Rescue

Village of Kitscoty

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Daryl Jakubec

Deputy Chief
Neil Zack

# of Volunteers
24

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

County Owned

  • Pumper
  • Tanker

Village Owned

  • 5 Bay Hall
  • Pumper
  • Rescue
  • Medical Response

Interested in joining Kitscoty Fire? Check out our recruitment section above or email kitscotyfd@hotmail.com.

Marwayne Fire & Rescue

Village of Marwayne

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Ron Miskie

Deputy Chief
Morgan Wood

# of Volunteers
15

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

County Owned

  • Pumper
  • Tanker

Village Owned

  • 4 Bay Hall
  • Pumper
  • Rescue
  • Rapid Response
  • Command Truck

Interested in joining Marwayne Fire? Check out our recruitment section above or contact the Village of Marwayne at 780-847-3962.

Paradise Valley Fire & Rescue

Village of Paradise Valley

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Nicholas Dobson

Deputy Chief
Lyndon Davies

# of Volunteers
30

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

County Owned

  • Pumper
  • Tanker

Fire Department Owned

  • Pumper
  • Light Rescue
  • Medical Response
  • Rapid Response

Interested in joining Paradise Valley Fire? Check out our recruitment section above or contact the Village of Paradise Valley at 780-745-2287.

Vermilion Fire Department

Town of Vermilion

DEPARTMENT INFO

Chief
Anton Krys

Deputy Chief
Tom Hartwell

# of Volunteers
32

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

County Owned

  • Pumper
  • Tanker
  • Wildland

Town Owned

  • 7 Bay Hall
  • Command Truck
  • Pumper
  • Ladder Truck
  • Rescue Unit
  • Inflatable Boat for Water Rescue
  • Enclosed Rescue Trailer
  • Side-by-Side
  • Drone

Interested in joining Vermilion Fire & Rescue? Check out our recruitment section above or contact the Town of Vermilion at 780-853-5358.

Chiefs & Senior Officers - June 2022

Current County Fire Service Volunteers

Browse Fire Training Opportunities here