Fire bans in St. Albert and Strathcona County were lifted Tuesday ­–thanks to rain and cooler temperatures over the long weekend.

Officials said residents should still exercise caution when it comes to burning.

Strathcona County Fire Chief Iain Bushell warned that conditions could change quickly, even with the recent rain. He said it’s possible that “it can only take a few days for the risk to increase again due to the pre-existing dry conditions.”

Fire permits in Strathcona County are also now valid. Permit holders must phone the burning information line at 780-464-8464 to ensure that burning is allowed at that time.

The City of St. Albert shared tips on how to reduce potential fire hazards, including:

  • Keeping your yard free of debris
  • Moving wood piles away from the house
  • Using your fire pit for recreational purposes only (ex. campfires and cooking)

A city-wide fire ban for Edmonton was lifted last Friday. The province-wide fire ban was reduced to Fort McMurray.