(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Dry Conditions

Fire bans issues around Prince Albert, nothing inside city limits

May 1, 2023 | 4:13 PM

The Rural Municipality of Prince Albert has officially issued a fire ban.

This comes a couple of days after the Rural Municipality of Duck Lake issued its own, while the Rural Municipality of Buckland is currently in the process of following suit.

The temperature is expected to hover in the 20s throughout the week with no precipitation being forecasted which is expected to cause dry conditions.

“Depending on the winds those days, it could cause (fires) to spread very quickly,” said Alex Paul, Prince Albert’s Deputy Fire Chief.

Under fire bans, any type of fire, whether it’s a controlled burn or backyard campout, isn’t allowed, while all previously approved permits are suspended.

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Meanwhile, there is currently no ban for those who live in the City of Prince Albert. Paul explained if they do bring one in, it would most likely only affect those who live north of the North Saskatchewan River.

“It’s not common for us to ban fires on the southside of the North Saskatchewan River within city limits just because it’s such an urban built-up area with concrete, asphalt, manicured grass, etc,” he said.

Despite there not being a ban, Paul is asking people to be extra careful because of the conditions.

Over the weekend, fire crews responded to seven grass fires. While the warm weather and dry conditions didn’t start these blazes, they could have helped them spread if not for fast-acting firefighters and property owners.

People wanting to enjoy the nice weather with a bonfire can do so if they use a proper fire pit. This includes only using pits that are, at most, 30 inches long and 20 inches high, constructed of cement, brick, or sheet metal, covered with a heavy gauge screen, and are at least two metres away from any combustible materials, buildings, porches, similar amenity space, and property lines.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow