By Sheldon Spackman

A full, city-wide fire ban is now in place for Red Deer. Continued hot, dry conditions have led to the ban in hopes of preventing any fires within the City, especially in it’s parks and forested areas, so all existing fire permits are now suspended.

This means the following fires are not allowed:

• Fires using charcoal, briquettes or wood in the City of Red Deer which includes parks and outdoor residential property
• Any source of open flame (i.e. Tiki Torches, backyard fireplaces)

The following fires are allowed:

• Certified gas fire pits
• Certified gas stoves or barbeques designed for cooking
• Certified cooking appliances utilizing charcoal, briquettes or wood pellets on residential property

Red Deer Emergency Services encourages residents to take extra caution to prevent fires. Proper disposal of smoking materials is very important as many fires are started by individuals throwing them out a window or discarding them in plants.

Any person contravening the fire ban will be subject to a $210 fine and applicable response fees. City officials say the ban will remain in effect until conditions change and further notice is given.

The Town of Penhold has also issued a fire ban for it’s community. In a release, Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast says “Propane and natural gas BBQ’s and liquid fueled camp stoves are still permitted”.

Elsewhere, the Town of Innisfail has also issued a total fire ban. This means that open-air fires of any type are not allowed under any circumstance, until the Fire Chief indicates otherwise. This includes, but is not limited to, backyard fire pits and campfires.

For more information on fire bans across the province, visit https://albertafirebans.ca/