On March 10, 2026, the Banff Town Council held a public hearing to discuss new property rules designed to protect the community in Alberta from wildfires and invasive plants. Known as Bylaw 494, these changes would update the town’s local standards for how residents maintain their yards and store flammable materials.
One of the most significant changes would stop residents from keeping firewood within 10 metres of any building unless it is stored in a fire-safe container. Katherine Severson, the director of emergency and protective services, explained that these measures are meant to reduce fire hazards near homes and businesses.
The proposal also requires property owners to remove specific invasive plants that are included on a list managed by Parks Canada. Michael Hay, the manager of environmental services, is helping lead the effort to keep non-native plants from spreading into the surrounding park area.
During the meeting, residents shared different views on the rules, with some like Peter J. Poole asking for immediate action while others like Reg Bunyan worried the firewood rules might be hard to follow. The town administration plans to focus on educating the public and asking for voluntary compliance rather than using fines right away.
