LAKELAND - After a stretch of hot weather and several fire bans being put in place across the province in July, having a campfire over the August long weekend will be a possibility for many as most fire bans in the Lakeland region have now been removed.
The County of St. Paul downgraded its fire ban to a fire restriction on Aug. 1.
"With the recent precipitation received throughout the County, decrease in air temperature, lower winds, and higher humidity levels, the fire risk has been lowered to where it is appropriate to downgrade to a fire restriction," said Jason Storch, Director of Community Services with the County of St. Paul.
The level 4 fire ban was issues on July 23 and was decreased to a level 3 fire restriction, effective Aug. 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Under the restriction safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and other areas with approved pits only, according to information from the County of St. Paul.
Several restrictions are still in place. No open fires - brush piles, grass, fields - are allowed in the County of St. Paul.
"No fireworks are allowed within the County," reads the information. "No new burn permits will be issued, and all existing permits have been cancelled."
The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority lifted its fire ban for the M.D., Summer Villages of Bonnyville Beach and Pelican Narrows, and the Village of Glendon, as of 1 p.m. July 30.
New fire permits will be issued within the MD of Bonnyville.
In the Lac La Biche region, a fire ban was also moved to a fire restriction by Lac La Biche County as of July 31.
John Kokotilo, regional fire chief for Lac La Biche County, stated that this move from a fire ban to a restriction means fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, while safe outdoor fires for cooking or warmth are permitted in engineered fire pits only.
Even though the rules have been relaxed somewhat, local fire officials continue to urge residents to be cautious.
“Conditions are still dry and relatively hot,” Kokotilo told Lakeland This Week. “As always, it is important to fully extinguish any fires and obey all current fire restrictions.
According to the July 31 provincial wildfire update, "Thanks to cooler temperatures and precipitation over the weekend, the fire ban will only remain in place for the southern and northernmost areas of the province."
Residents are encouraged to visit Albertafirebans.ca to keep up to date with fire bans and fire restrictions across the province.
*With files from Chris McGarry
