To reduce the risk of fire during wildfire season, the Resort Municipality of Whistler restricts certain types of work when the fire danger rating is high or extreme.
Construction restrictions apply to all high-risk construction and tree activities in the forest interface (within 10 metres of forests or treed areas). You can check our current fire danger rating using the gauge above.
Construction restrictions
A Wildfire Exemption Permit is required at any time of day for high-risk construction activity and tree services within 10 metres of forest (or treed areas) when the fire danger rating is high or extreme.
High and extreme fire danger rating
All high-risk construction activity in the interface area (within 10 metres of the forest or treed areas) will cease, unless approved in a Wildfire Exemption Permit.
Examples of high-risk activities include, but are not limited to:
- preparation or use of explosives
- excavating
- drilling
- grinding
- hot works such as welding
- mechanical brushing or land clearing
- trenching
- using fire- or spark-producing tools, including cutting tools
- using or preparing fireworks or pyrotechnics
The following activities may continue during a high or extreme fire danger rating:
- work inside a structure (excluding hot works such as welding)
- work with non-powered hand tools
- heavy-duty equipment or small engines may continue to work in areas around a site where they are not within 10 metres of the interface
As explained in the regulations, all other work shall maintain a minimum two-hour fire watch after construction ceases.
All construction restrictions are lifted when the danger rating is at moderate or low.
Water conservation stages
Wildfire Exemption Permits can only be used during Water Conservation Stages 1 and 2.
Wildfire Exemption Permits cannot be used during Water Conservation Stage 3 because the municipal water supply is reserved for fighting fire.
Requesting an exemption
In accordance with our Fire and Life Safety Bylaw, all Wildfire Exemption Permit applications have a non-refundable site inspection fee of $150.
Applications take up to seven business days to process. Site exemptions are only approved once the issuing officer has signed the approval.
Whistler Fire Rescue Service will contact you by telephone to schedule an inspection of your work site. You’ll need to have mitigating measures (PDF) in place by the time of your inspection. The inspection may require additional mitigating measures specific to your site.
Exemption permits must be posted onsite at all times.