The sweltering heat and tinder-dry conditions have led the Town of Drumheller, Wheatland County, and Starland County to issue fire bans and advisories in the area.
Fire bans have been declared by Drumheller and Kneehill County, while Starland and Wheatland County have only issued fire advisories.
In Drumheller, open air fires are prohibited due to extreme fire risk and officials say the ban will continue until the area sees heavy rain, howeve Drumheller Fire Chief Bruce Wade says there doesn’t seem to be relief in sight.
“It doesn’t look like any rain in the predictabl future. It’s on a day by day basis until things improve,” he said.
Drumheller and Kneehill County are prohibiting open air fires, which include fires for the burning of weeds, grass, leaves, and fires related to recreational uses in non-approved containers. Prohibited fires include incinerators, fireworks, regulated burning barrels, solid fuel barbecues (such as charcoal), recreational pit fires, and all fires in designated camping and recreational areas.
Allowed fires include internal household fireplaces, gas or propane stoves and barbecues, catalytic or infrared-style heaters, camp stoves.
The ban was issued on Friday morning in Drumheller and will remain in effect until further notice.
