Alberta applies full fire ban to provincial forests

Effective noon Monday, Alberta has implemented a full fire ban for all forests in the province.

The full fire ban prohibits all open fires, including campfires in campgrounds or backcountry and random camping areas, including charcoal briquettes, the Government of Alberta said in a press release. All fire permits are suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued, the release said, adding that portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed.

The fire ban applies to the province’s Forest Protection Area (FPA), which includes most of the province north and west of Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Other jurisdictions outside the FPA, including municipalities and provincial parks, may issue their own fire restrictions or bans, the release added.

Alberta imposes provincewide fire ban as blaze forces 2,000 people from homes http://t.co/7JJGb7Ux1z pic.twitter.com/plpdv3w1Qm

— CTV News (@CTVNews) May 25, 2015

The ban comes as continuing hot, dry weather has elevated the wildfire hazard to high, very high or extreme over most of Alberta. As of 10 a.m. Monday, 29 wildfires were burning in the province, including a 200-hectare wildfire that forced evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents of Wabasca on Sunday night. To date this year since April 1, Alberta has experienced 629 wildfires that have burned 13,098 hectares.

Hot, dry weather is forecasted to continue for at least another week, threatening to further elevate wildfire hazard.

Alberta has already deployed more than 1,300 wildland firefighters and approximately 100 aircraft to battle the wildfires underway, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec have sent additional resources to Alberta to assist.

Up-to-date information fire restrictions and fire bans is available by calling 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473). Residents can report a wildfire by calling (416) 310- 3473.

Provincewide FIRE BAN in effect for all Forest Protection Areas: http://t.co/W978Kt3dmV pic.twitter.com/aKfyGKZppd

— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) May 25, 2015

Alberta issues province-wide fire ban. Details here: https://t.co/oNTuyIsxM5 #ejlive pic.twitter.com/ZYkzO2ZzQv

— Edmonton Journal (@edmontonjournal) May 25, 2015