ATHABASCA – Local municipalities are following in the provinces footsteps this morning — Athabasca County, the Town of Athabasca, and the Village of Boyle all ordered fire bans effective 9 a.m. this morning.
The move comes after the province ordered a ban in all forest protection areas, including the Lac La Biche forest area, which covers the northern section of Athabasca County.
Under the bans, new fire permits will not be issued, existing permits are suspended, and the lighting of outdoor fires is also prohibited. That includes open fires, fires used for cooking, briquette barbecues, burning barrels, chimeneas and portable wood burning fire pits.
Liquid fuelled cooking appliances, such as barbeques or camp stoves, are allowed as long as they are CSA approved. Indoor fireplaces with spark arrestors to prevent sparks from leaving the chimney are also okay.
A spokesperson for Athabasca County reminded residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution when recreating in the outdoors. While the grass is green, off highway vehicles such as quads or dirt bikes still have the potential to start fires. Check your exhaust to make sure grass or other combustible objects haven’t built up and stay to designated trails.
