Alberta ratepayers should look closely at their fire insurance policies to avoid what could be a shocking, unpleasant and, in some cases, expensive surprise.

An ongoing issue in the world of firefighting costs is the question of who pays the bill when a fire department responds to a call. In the past, taxpayers were sometimes expected to subsidize these costs, but more and more municipalities are instead billing such expenses to the person who received the service.

Regular readers of the Rural Alberta Report have likely noticed stories popping up where residents, including rural ratepayers and producers, have received firefighting bills from the local municipality. These are bills for firefighting service, not repair costs for property damage.

Herein lies the issue. Not all Albertans are aware that fire damage and firefighting service bills are two different things. Many people who have fire insurance for their property may or may not have coverage for the firefighting service, the price of which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on how long firefighters have to remain on scene.

When firefighters respond to an incident, they’re responsible for remaining on scene until the emergency is under control, with some calls — for example, underground fires — taking days to extinguish. Municipalities bill the person or persons who received the service, which includes hours for the firefighters involved and use of equipment such as fire trucks. At a recent Lacombe County council meeting, councillors discussed a call-out to a local ratepayer who received a $6,700 bill. Without the proper insurance, a ratepayer could be facing a multi-day call-out bill of $20,000 or more in cases of stubborn fires.

The issue was mentioned in a recent press release from Lacombe County, which introduced some changes to fire permits. Also included was the following notice regarding firefighting service costs: “Insurance Reminder: Residents are strongly encouraged to review their insurance policies to confirm that firefighting costs are covered, as fire response charges will be levied for all responses.”

Crystal Lanz, CAIB, president-elect, Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta

“When discussing fire-related costs, it is important, especially for farm and rural property owners, to understand the distinction between fire property insurance, fire department charges and firefighting expense coverage within a farm insurance policy,” stated Lanz in a Feb. 25 email.

“Fire property insurance is the portion of a farm or property policy that provides financial protection for physical loss or damage caused by fire. If a farmhouse, barn, equipment shed, livestock facility or stored feed is damaged or destroyed, the policy responds by covering repair or replacement costs, subject to the policy’s terms, conditions, deductibles and limits.

“In contrast, fire department charges refer to fees billed by a municipality or local fire authority for attending the scene of a fire. In some rural areas where fire protection is not fully funded through property taxes, farmers may receive an invoice for emergency response services, including trucks, personnel and equipment deployment. These charges are separate from the damage to the property itself. While many farm insurance policies include a specific sub-limit for fire department charges, that limit can vary and may not always be adequate for large or complex farm operations.

“For these reasons, it is essential for farm owners to work closely with their local insurance broker to carefully review their policy wording. They should confirm whether fire department charges are included within the policy, what the applicable limit is and whether that limit is sufficient for their size and type of operation.

“Most farm insurers provide the option to increase or ‘buy up’ the limit for fire department charges if required. Ensuring adequate limits and a clear understanding of how these coverages respond can prevent unexpected out-of-pocket costs at an already stressful time.

“By proactively reviewing coverage with a knowledgeable insurance broker, farm owners can help ensure they are protected not only against fire damage itself, but also against the additional expenses that may arise when emergency services respond,” added Lanz.

Fire permit changes

“Lacombe County is reminding all ratepayers, residents and businesses of the upcoming fire permit season beginning March 1, 2026,” the county stated in a press release. “To ensure community safety and environmental protection, the county requires fire permits for all controlled burns. Unauthorized burning can lead to significant fines and fire department response charges.

“To give the public time to adjust to changing fire threat levels, Lacombe County will now provide 24 hours’ notice before a fire advisory, fire restriction or fire ban is put in place or lifted. This will be clearly communicated on our website, www.lacombecounty.com, as well as on our county-run social media platforms.”

The manager of fire and emergency services for Lacombe County also cautioned residents to examine their insurance policies closely. “If Fire Services has to respond, there will be associated costs, whether the fire was permitted, accidental, or the result of negligence or permit non-compliance. The best way to avoid those charges is simple: follow the permit conditions and never leave your fire unattended,” said Dave Bain, Manager of Fire and Emergency Services for Lacombe County.

“With conditions shifting quickly throughout the spring, it’s critical that residents stay alert, follow their permit conditions and use extra caution. A safe burn protects your property, your neighbours and our firefighters.”