In an effort to prevent wildfires, the Alberta government announced that as of noon Monday, a province-wide fire ban was in effect.
The fire ban prohibits all open fires, such as campfires in campgrounds or backcountry and other camping areas – the ban also includes the use of charcoal briquettes.
However, portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques are allowed.
The fire ban also means all fire permits are suspended or cancelled, and no new fire permits will be issued.
The ban has been put in place as the province has faced hot and dry weather – elevating the wildfire risk to high, very high or extreme, the province said. The same weather conditions are expected to continue.
As of late Monday morning, 29 wildfires were burning in Alberta, including a 200-hectare fire burning near Wabasca. On Sunday night, about 2,000 of the area had to be evacuated due to that fire.
Later Monday, a provincial government spokesperson told CTV news the fire that caused the evacuation had not grown.
“The wildfire burning north of Wabasca has seen no growth today,” Information officer Janelle Lane said. “We’ve really seen the wildfire fire behaviour tone down.
“There are some areas with flame and a little bit of smoke.”
Officials said no buildings had been destroyed as a result of the fire.
The Red Cross is helping evacuated residents.
The ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area – officials said other jurisdictions outside that area may issue their own restrictions or bans. Full details on fire bans can be found online.
So far this year, 629 wildfires have burned about 13,094 hectares. More than 1,300 firefighters and about 100 aircraft are working to fight wildfires that are currently burning – Ontario and Quebec have also sent additional resources to help fight the fires.
With files from Brenna Rose
