With Canada day not too far away, the Lacombe County would like to remind residents that a permit is required if you want to purchase, sell, or set off fireworks within the province of Alberta.

Not only for Canada day, but any time fireworks are being dealt with in the county, a permit is required.

Lacombe County Fire Chief, Drayton Bussiere stated that the use of fireworks is regulated under the Alberta Fire Code and "there are no exceptions".

With safety and responsibility as the driving force behind the permit requirement, Bussiere explains that even though he can't bring to mind any sort of disaster resulting from fireworks, he has heard of various cases of injuries resulting from the improper or irresponsible use of fireworks.

"The permit process is really just a way for us to make sure that people are being as safe as they possibly can...it gives us the ability to make sure nobody is going to get hurt or accidentally start a fire".

Even with a permit, fireworks cannot be set off from public lands or roadways, during a fire ban, or if winds exceed 20 km/h.

The permits are free to obtain on the Lacombe County Website or at the front desk of the County Administration Office.