Province implements fire ban in Forest Protection Area

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on July 11, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The provincial government has implemented a fire ban for the entire Forest Protection Area.

The ban went into effect on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

The province says 137 new wildfires have started in Alberta since July 1 and there is a heightened wildfire danger here.

The ban does not include cities, towns, villages and summer villages or federal lands including national parks.

The province says those jurisdictions have the authority to implement their own bans and may have complementary ones in place.

All fire permits in the Forest Protection Area have been suspended or cancelled and no new ones will be issued while the ban is in place. The province says some allowances can be be made for essential agricultural or industrial burning when a approved by a forest officer.

All outdoor wood fires, including campfires on public and private land, in designated campgrounds and backyard firepits are now prohibited in the FPA. Fireworks, charcoal briquettes and exploding targets are also prohibited.

Propane and natural-gas powered appliances are still allowed as are indoor wood fires that are contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrester.

The FPA represents geographic areas in Alberta that are concerned with the prevention and control of damage to forests from fires, insects, diseases and other harmful agents, says the province.

In southern Alberta, it extends south of the Crowsnest Pass with another small area on the Montana border.

There are presently 63 active wildfires in the province and one evacuation order.