Edmonton Fire Rescue Service issued a fire ban for the City of Edmonton as of 8 a.m. on Friday.
“Fire services has been monitoring the fire weather index for a number of weeks now, and we determined today that the risk is certainly at the extreme level and it’s certainly the right thing to do,” Edmonton Fire Rescue Chief Ken Block told media on Friday.
The ban prohibits fireworks, open burning, fire pits, and cooking stoves and barbecues that use wood and briquettes. Propane or gas barbecues are still allowed.
Block says May is usually the worst months for outside fires in Edmonton.
“The last week or 10 days is living up to that reputation. Over the last number of days we’ve been experiencing 11-15 outside fires a day, which is high.”
The majority of those fires, Block said are due to human carelessness.
“The catastrophic outcome of a carelessly discarded cigarette or other smoking material is significant,” he said.
Those who are found to be violating the ban may be subject to fines or charges—including costs for emergency services—if the activity causes a safety issue.
Block is also urging residents to remove combustible materials from their property and make sure firewood isn’t piled against structures.
More information can be found online or calling 311.
A fire ban was also issued on Friday for Lamont County.
The county is prohibiting open fires and burning, and suspending or cancelling all fire permits.
County residents are also not permitted to use all-terrain vehicles on public land.
More information can be found online.
