Alberta applied a fire ban to all its forests today as dry conditions continue and risk of fire remains high.
The ban prohibits all open fires anywhere in the province, including campgrounds and random camping areas.
All existing fire permits have been suspended or cancelled and no new ones will be issued until further notice, the province said in a news release.
The ban applies to all forest protection areas. Municipalities may issue their own bans or restrictions as deemed necessary.
“The ban comes as continuing hot, dry weather has elevated the wildfire hazard to high, very high or extreme over most of Alberta,” the news release said.
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“As of 10 a.m. Monday, 29 wildfires were burning in the province, including a 200-hectare (500-acre) wildfire that forced evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents of Wabasca on Sunday night.
“Hot, dry weather is forecasted to continue for at least another week, threatening to further elevate wildfire hazard.”
There have been 629 wild fires in Alberta since April 1 that have burned more than 32,000 acres. More than 1,300 firefighters are at work battling ongoing blazes.
More information on fire bans is available by calling 866-FYI-FIRE, or 866-394-3473.
Contact barb.glen@producer.com
