Cypress County bans fireworks due to risk before Canada Day weekend

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 28, 2025.

On Friday, Cypress County officials re-enacted a fire ban due to the dry and hazardous conditions that have worsened significantly over the past four days.

The county also says the ban is in effect due to resource management.

The fire ban, which went into effect at noon Friday, restricts the use of fireworks within the boundaries of the county, and all fire permits have been cancelled.

However, recreational fire pits are exempt during the fire ban, as long as bylaw conditions are met within the defined hamlets.

The use of incinerators, burning barrels, solid fuel barbecues, recreational campfires, chimeneas and fires in designated camping and recreational areas is not allowed.

Internal household fireplaces, propane and natural gas-fuelled appliances and wood-pellet smokers are allowed.

According to the ban, anyone who willfully sets an open fire may be charged under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act, as well as Cypress County bylaws.

At the time of publication theCounty of Newell remains under a fire restriction, which prevents the use of “family-style” fireworks, exploding targets, burning barrels, charcoal briquettes, sky lanterns and incinerators.

However, approved gas or propane cooking appliances, portable propane fire pits, recreation fire pits, wood-pellet smokers and campfires burning within designated fire containment units in approved campgrounds are allowed.

There is also no fire ban in place for the City of Medicine Hat, however according the provincial wildfire tracker, Cypress County, County of Forty Mile No. 8, Lethbridge County as well as Medicine Hat and Lethbridge area are under extreme fire danger, as forest fuels are extremely dry and pose a very serious risk.

Under current conditions, high-intensity fires can spread very quickly and can become difficult to control.