BANFF – A fire ban takes effect for Banff National Park, including the town of Banff on Saturday (July 13).
“This is in coordination with Parks Canada implementing a fire ban for Banff National Park due to elevated fire danger,” states a Voyent Alert from the Town.
A bulletin from the national park said there are elevated fire danger conditions. Fire danger for Banff hit extreme on Tuesday (July 9).
“Despite precipitation in June, vegetation within the park remains extremely dry especially due to the hot and dry weather,” states a Facebook post by Banff National Park.
The fire ban for the national park includes all open fires, except portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbeques, propane or gas fuelled enclosed-flame lanterns, and propane, catalytic or infrared/radiant patio heaters.
For the town, the fire ban includes wood or briquette campfires; wood, charcoal or briquette barbeques; outdoor wood-burning stoves; turkey fryers and tiki torches. The same exceptions apply for items permitted under the national park’s ban and indoor wood-burning stoves within fully enclosed permanent buildings may also be used.
The bans are in effect until further notice.
The entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the MD of Bighorn, Kananaskis Country and Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, is also under a fire ban as of Wednesday (July 10). Canmore has also followed suit.
There are currently 103 active wildfires in the province, including carryover but not mutual aid fires, with 32 classified as burning out of control.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 733 wildfires in Alberta and 261,242 hectares burned.
To report a wildfire outside the national park, call 310-3473 (FIRE). Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada dispatch at 403-762-4506.
