Newell County implements fire ban with dry conditions

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 9, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The County of Newell enacted a full fire ban on Monday stating that fire threat is “extreme” considering current hot, dry, windy conditions and the need for fire crews elsewhere in Alberta.

Much of the province is under an state of emergency to fight a record number of forest fires in the north, and an off-road vehicle ban is in place in forestry protection areas and mountain regions.

“All Albertans need to take extra care that they don’t start a wildfire, no matter where they are,” stated Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Christie Tucker, during a update Monday.

Cypress County enacted a fire restriction on April 28, barring open fires and cancelling burn permits.

Officials in the region around Brooks stated Monday that upgrading restrictions to a full ban is needed as grassland is extremely dry and some local crews have deployed north to help in the provincial effort.

The ban includes all recreational firepits, fireworks, burning barrels, charcoal barbecues and sky lanterns.

In Saskatchewan, a block of rural municipalities with firebans in east-central Saskatchewan was extended south on Monday to include the RMs of Chesterfield (north of Leader), and Newcombe.

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