While Edmonton and Strathcona County issued fire bans late last week and the province has banned fires in all forested areas effective immediately, there is no plan to do so in the city in the short-term, according to St. Albert Fire Services.
The province issued its ban Monday, prohibiting all outdoor fires, fireworks and portable camping fires, due to extremely high wildfire conditions.
Locally, St. Albert Fire Services says there are no plans to issue any ban because of regulations already in place.
“We typically don’t issue permits for outside fires. We don’t allow fireworks in the city unless you’re a pyrotechnician,” said Les David Mroz, the city’s fire prevention and safety officer.
Fire Chief Ray Richards said that because the city regulates and inspects all recreational fire pits, it does not have to deal with the same factors as other municipalities during dry spells. Bans still can be issued, but Richards said there are no plans to do so anytime soon.
For those same reasons, Morinville has also not issued any fire bans, according to town fire chief Ron Cust. The town also does not permit any burning activities except for approved recreational fire pits. Morinville is also bordered by cultivated fields and drainage ditches, minimizing the chances of a wildfire.
“If we had a fire ban, that would mean it would only be with regards to fire pits and barbecues and that is determined by myself and the other station managers,” said Cust.
Cust said some areas are looking dry right now, but he doesn’t expect having to issue any kind of ban for the long weekend.
“I’m not seeing anything that would put us at risk,” said Cust.
The situation is different over in Sturgeon County, where Chief Pat Mahoney said his crews have been busy responding to a few calls each day. Because of dry conditions, no more burning permits will be issued and those that have been issued will expire soon. While some of the fires his crews have responded to have been suspicious, none can be said to have been caused by someone burning material irresponsibly.
“I haven’t had to put a ban in place because the causes haven’t been from someone being careless,” Mahoney said.
Forecasted lower temperatures and the possibility of some moisture are also working in the county’s favour, Mahoney said.
“With the forecast calling for showers and lower temperatures, I’m think we would get to the long weekend without having to put a ban in place.”
