Fire permit rules & winter road conditions were raised at the Feb. 25 meeting of the County of Stettler council.
Fire Permit Process Under Review
Reeve Larry Clarke said he has received calls from residents questioning how the County’s fire permit system is applied, following concerns about multiple engines burned in a pit.
Council heard that permits limit burns to 14 days and require winds below 10 km/h.
At least one adult must be in attendance at all times, with adequate tools & water available on site.
Debate focused on wind restrictions & the continuous attendance requirement.
Coun. Wade Hunter questioned the practicality of requiring agricultural operators to haul water to burn sites.
Coun. Justin Stevens noted that when the bylaw was last amended, council introduced escalating fines for serious violations.
Concerns were also raised about smoke affecting residents with respiratory conditions, particularly when burning poplar.
Administration is expected to bring the bylaw back to a future meeting for direction on possible changes to wind limits.
Winter Road Conditions Draw Complaints
Council requested an update from Public Works as the freeze-thaw cycles continue to affect roads across the County of Stettler.
Director of Operations Greggory Jackson said a January thaw followed by snow & wind in late February left surfaces soft, slushy & prone to washboarding.
Operators are using straight blades to address rough sections where possible, though frost remains in some areas.
Councillors said calls from residents have helped identify problem areas, as conditions vary throughout the region.
In the Donalda area, some residents waited several days for clearing due to extreme cold that limited equipment operations.
Delivery delays for new snow plows were also discussed, as the County is awaiting word from Viking Cives on two units currently on backorder.
4-H Sponsorship Maintained
Council approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the Stettler District 4-H Beef Council’s Intermediate Excellence Award at its annual show & sale.
The amount was increased in 2025 to match Junior and Senior award levels, with funding coming from the rural development fund.
Members of council will participate in interviews to select the award recipient among the four area 4-H clubs.
In-camera Session
Council met in camera for about one hour to discuss a tax agreement, fire service transition and hamlet lot pricing before returning to open session.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
