FIRE BAN ISSUED FOR NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA

Albertans urged to use extreme caution when heading into the backcountry

Click for PDF map of affected area

EDMONTON - Dry conditions coupled with extreme wildfire hazard levels have prompted Alberta Sustainable Resource Development to issue a total fire ban in the northwest part of the province.

A Fire Control Order will go into effect at noon on June 29 in an area west of Wood Buffalo National Park stretching to the B.C. border.

Under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act, fires are now banned in the area until further notice. Any existing fires, including those set under the authority of a fire permit, must be immediately extinguished.

The only exceptions include:

* fires contained within a cooking or heating appliance that are fuelled by fluids or gas and

* fires contained within industrial facilities or on industrial sites approved by a forest officer.

This ban does not apply to cities, towns or villages in the ban area; however, these jurisdictions may issue their own fire bans. For more information about these bans, contact your local municipal office, fire department or visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

Hazard conditions in the area will continue to be monitored on a daily basis. Albertans planning recreation activities in the fire ban area are urged to use extreme caution. Off-highway vehicle users are reminded to make sure hot spots on their vehicle, such as the engine and exhaust, are free of burnable material such as dry grass and twigs.

For a copy of the complete Fire Control Order, with a detailed description of the fire ban area, visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srdwww3.gov.ab.ca/srd/wildfires. To report a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.

-30-

For further information:

Wildfire Information Officer
Provincial Forest Fire Centre
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton, (780) 420-1968

Rob Harris
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton, (780) 427-8636