By Medicine Hat News on August 27, 2020.
Fire restrictions are increasing throughout southeastern Alberta as hot dry weather continues to bake the region. On Wednesday both Cypress County and the County of Forty Miles raised their long-standing fire advisories to outright fire bans. That prohibits the use of incinerators and burning barrels, wood camp fires, charcoal barbecues and all fireworks. Fire permits were rescinded. Fire bans are also in place at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and the Michelle Reservoir and Bullshead Reservoir, which are managed by Alberta Parks. Those measures bar all open fires, though non-solid fuel barbecues are permitted. The County of Newell as well as Special Areas Nos. 2, 3, and 4, enacted a fire advisory on Aug. 19. All rural municipalities in southwest Saskatchewan are also subject to fire bans with the exception of two, the R.M.s of Bigstick and Fox Valley. 7