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EDMONTON — If your long weekend plans include camping at a provincial park, you should check AlbertaParks.ca to see if there’s a fire ban.
Dry conditions have led to the province implementing various fire restrictions at provincial campgrounds and protected areas, with rules varying depending on the location and level of fire hazard.
A fire ban is imposed when the fire hazard reaches extreme levels and prohibits all open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes. Wood fires are also prohibited inside park facilities, even when contained within a device.
Portable propane fire pits contained within designated fire pits remain permitted during a ban, along with gas or propane stoves and barbecues designed for cooking or heating.
Alberta Parks currently lists 13 locations under fire restrictions, while additional rules apply to ecological reserves, wilderness areas and wildland provincial parks.
Alberta Parks operates under a year-round fire restriction framework within provincial parks and provincial recreation areas.
Under those rules, wood, briquette and propane or natural gas fires are permitted when contained within designated fire pits. Portable propane fire pits may also be used within designated fire pits.
Liquid or gas-fuelled lanterns, cooking stoves and barbecues are permitted, while some patio heaters may be allowed if considered safe by a conservation officer.
Rules differ in wildland provincial parks, where open fires may normally be permitted outside designated facilities in some locations. During a fire restriction, however, open fires outside designated backcountry campgrounds are prohibited.
Fires are prohibited at all times in ecological reserves and wilderness areas under provincial regulations.
Alberta Parks lists affected locations across the province, including provincial parks, recreation areas, ecological reserves and wildland provincial parks.
Campers and other visitors are encouraged to check current restrictions for their destination before leaving, as the rules depend on the park and conditions.
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