The Government of Alberta announced a province-wide fire ban and additional measures to reduce fire risks last week.
After the wildfires tore across northern Alberta, the government placed a provincial wide fire ban last Thursday. All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued. All open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes, are now prohibited.
The fire ban also included incendiary targets – targets that explode when shot with a firearm. Environment and Parks will be deploying additional conservation officers to enforce the fire ban in parks and protected areas. This will not affect resources that are being used to fight wildfires.
The government also announced a temporary province-wide restriction for off-highway vehicles (OVH), also know as all-terrain vehicles (ATV), last Friday. OHVs include ATVs, four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles and amphibious machines.
Off-highway vehicles will be restricted from recreational use on public lands and provincial parks, including designated OHV trails until further notice.
Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbecues designed for cooking or heating are allowed.
The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area and all counties, municipal districts and special areas such as provincial parks and recreation areas. The fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages or summer villages or federal lands such as national parks.
