The Regional Emergency Services department of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued a Fire Ban in the urban service area of Fort McMurray on May 25.
The provincial government issued a fire ban for the forested area of Fort McMurray, including the rural area, earlier in the day.
The use of recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) is not allowed due to the potential of starting a new fire.
All OHV staging areas will be closed for the duration of the ban.
As a result of the Fire Ban:
- All fire permits are suspended or cancelled
- No new fire permits will be issued
- Outside fires of any type, including open-air fires, recreational fires contained within a portable or stationary fire pit, charcoal barbeques and fireworks are prohibited
- The exemptions to the ban are internal household fire places and propane or natural gas barbecues
Fines will be issued at the discretion of the Emergency Services Bylaw to anyone found to have ignited, fueled, supervised or permitted an outdoor fire in town.
If emergency fire response is required, the person responsible for the fire can be charged full firefighting costs.
Up-to-date information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions and Bans is available by calling 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473) or by visiting albertafirebans.ca.
To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE (310-3473).
The ban remains in effect until further notice.
