Fire ban and OHV restriction lifted for Fort McMurray Forest Area

PHOTO. Supplied: Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

Alberta Wildfire announced they lifted the fire ban and OHV restriction for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

The decision came about thanks to cooler temperatures and rainfall in the region.

This follows the Municipality’s decision to lift the fire ban for the urban service area on Monday, June 3.

Since March 1, 2019, Alberta Wildfire reported all but one of the 18 wildfires in our region were human-caused.

Fire prevention

Although the wildfire danger level is low in Wood Buffalo, residents have a role to play contribute to preventing future wildfires.

Regional Emergency Services (RES) requests residents acquire permits for all open fires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

These include campfires and recreational fire pits.

RES also says to never leave open fires unattended, and properly dispose of cigarette butts and flammable material.

Operators of OHVs should clean any debris from their vehicle.

This means checking the exhaust, muffler, under the seat, wheel wells, and around the engine.

Also, carry a small fire extinguisher, shovel, water, and a large container.

Facts and figures

• The fire ban and OHV restriction still applies in the High Level Forest Area
• Similar restrictions are also in place Lac La Biche, Peace River, Grande Prairie, and Slave Lake forest areas.
• The fire ban and OHV restriction came into effect in Wood Buffalo and the urban service area on May 17, 2019.