ATHABASCA - Athabasca County updated its fire advisory to a fire restriction this afternoon, meaning no new fire permits will be issued for non-essential burning.
The county issued an advisory April 9, and fire departments around the region have been dealing with calls to put out various grass fires ever since, prompting Athabasca County Fire Services to issue the fire restriction today. The next step up is a total fire ban. The Town of Athabasca and Village of Boyle have yet to issue any fire hazard notices, but will likely follow suit soon.
This morning a fire advisory was also issued for the Lac La Biche Forest Area, which is part of the Forest Protection Area (FPA), which is essentially everything north and west of Athabasca, and east of Lac La Biche. Fires in the province's FPAs are dealt with by provincial wildland fire fighters that come under the purview of Alberta Environment and Forestry, with assistance from local departments.
Just yesterday, the Colinton, Boyle, and Athabasca fire departments were called to a wildland fire that started south of Highway 633, and soon spread to a structure on the property. Public works equipment from the county and Boyle also helped in the effort.
The restriction within the county (outside the FPA) allows safe campfires in fire rings in campgrounds only. No campfires (or other open fires) or charcoal briquettes are allowed in back-country or random camping areas. Gas or propane stoves, barbecues and portable propane fire pits are allowed.
Athabasca County urges everyone to use extreme caution when working or driving in grassy areas, be mindful of debris collecting on hot exhaust which can heat up, fall to the ground, and start a wildfire. Caution should also be exercised during windy conditions and winter burn sites should be checked to ensure they are completely extinguished.
For more fire information from the county visit the website here.
More information on the Forest Protection Area and the fire hazard status of all regions in the province can be found here.
