After tens of thousands of Albertans were evacuated from Fort McMurray earlier in the week, and firefighters throughout the province continue to deal with a number of wildfires, the provincial government enacted a province-wide fire ban Thursday afternoon.
As a result of the fire ban, all fire permits have been suspended, and no new permits will be issued.
In addition, all open fires, including campfires and the use of charcoal briquettes, are prohibited.
At the same time, provincial officials said they were urging Albertans to avoid using Off Highway Vehicles or OHVs as much as possible, and if they have to be used, to ensure burnable debris is removed from hot spots.
OHVs must have a functional muffler and spark arresters, the province said.
The fire ban is being issued as part of efforts to reduce fire risk.
“The single best thing we all can do to help protect Alberta from wildfires is to ensure we are not creating additional risk,” Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips said in a statement.
The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, and all counties municipal districts, provincial parks and recreation areas – it doesn’t apply to cities, towns, villages, or summer villages, or federal land such as national parks.
