Alberta Wildfire has put a fire restriction into effect as of noon on May 23, 2018 for the Fort McMurray forested area.
Under the fire restriction, you are only allowed to have a campfire in the forested area in a controlled park.
You are still allowed a portable propane pit, gas or propane stove however, use of charcoal briquettes, tiki torches and fireworks is prohibited.
If you are caught having a campfire in the forested area you will receive a fine of $287 and if the campfire causes a wildfire you will also be billed for the damages and for the costs incurred in extinguishing the fire.
Extreme caution is also advised for all heavy equipment and OHV’s operating in the forested areas as a reminder that grass can ignite very easily.
Lynn Daina, information officer with Alberta Wildfire Fort McMurray, updated MyMcMurray on the current wildfire situation.
“Right now we are in extreme fire danger, we have got an upper ridge sitting over Alberta and it’s giving hot, dry conditions so for today’s burning period and tomorrows burning period, said Diana. “We’ve got some unstable conditions coming in with the risk of thundershowers so we are position and ready for lightening which will also cause some fires.”
There is a wildfire being held at 4.5 hectares approximately 60 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, near Stony Mountain.
There are 16 firefighters and 3 helicopters working to extinguish it.
Smoke from a wildfire in the Lac La Biche forest area is also visible to the south of the Fort McMurray forest area.
You can download the new Alberta Fire Bans app on your cell phone to stay on top of fire bans and restrictions.
