A provincial fire ban for Crown lands, provincial parks, provincial recreation sites, and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District is in effect in Saskatchewan as of noon on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
The ban, which covers any open fires, controlled burns, and fireworks, also includes all land within 4.5 km of the provincial forest boundary.
As of 8 a.m., 73 wildfires are burning in the province. To date, Saskatchewan has had 302 wildfires, which is 91 more than the five-year average of 211.
“We are making the decision to implement a fire ban to protect lives, communities, major infrastructure, and resources from wildfire,” SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts said. “We are asking the public to take extreme caution to prevent wildfires during this time. This includes being cautious using all-terrain vehicles and to report a fire if they see a fire.”
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) notes the hot, dry conditions are prompting an increased concern for a high fire risk in the province.
It encourages municipalities, rural municipalities, and communities to examine the fire risk in their area and to consider implementing consistent fire bans to prevent unwanted human-caused wildfires. In Saskatchewan, nearly half of the wildfires in the province are caused by human activity and usually start in accessible areas near communities and roads.
In Alberta, on Wednesday, Jul. 10, officials also issued a fire ban which covers much of northern Alberta and the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
All fire permits issued by the province have been suspended or cancelled, and no new permits will be issued while the ban is in place.
Locally, there is a Fire Advisory out for the County of Vermilion River, which means officials advise the public to note the increased fire risk due to the dry conditions and carefully monitor any recreational fires. Fire permits are still being issued and backyard fires are still allowed. In Edgerton, and County of Two Hills fire restrictions are in place with no new fire permits being issued.
To report a wildfire in Alberta, call 310-FIRE, and in Saskathcewan, call 1-800-667-9660 or 9-1-1.
