Lethbridge, Foothills implement fire bans

Lethbridge and the Municipal District ofFoothills have become the latest jurisdictions in southern Albertato implement fire bans as continued warm and dry weather has raised the wildfire hazard across much of the province.

"The M.D. of Foothills is extremely dry. No fires are allowed," officials said on the Alberta Fire Bans website Wednesday.

"Effective immediately and until further notice ... a fire ban has been placed on all open fires within the City of Lethbridge," officials there said in a press release. "This fire ban includes all backyard fire pits."

Several areas surrounding Calgary are under fire bans, including Black Diamond, Cochrane, Ghost Lake, Rocky View County and Turner Valley.

• Calgary broke 119-year-old temperature record Tuesday
• 'Catastrophic' Fort McMurray wildfire prompts state of emergency

Fire restrictions are in effect forCanmore, theCrowsnestPassand Alberta's Forest Protection Area near the Montana border.

The fire restriction prohibits all open fires, including campfires on private land,backcountryand random camping areas.

Safe wood campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds.

Fire safety advisory inCalgary

Fire advisories are in effect inAirdrieandCrossfieldto the north of Calgary,Chestermereto the eastandClaresholm, Pincher Creek, Picture Butte and Vulcan to the south.

TheCalgaryFireDepartment alsoissued afiresafetyadvisory, reminding Calgarians to be cautious when using outdoor open flames such as backyardfirepits and disposing of smoking materials.

The restrictions come a day afterCalgary set another weather recordon Tuesday, hitting 27.2 C andbesting 1897's high of 26.7 C.

Meanwhile,a catastrophicwildfire has destroyed 1,600 homes in Fort McMurray and consumed 10,000 hectares, prompting a province-wide state of emergency to be declared.

For a complete list of fire advisories, restrictions and bans, visit the Alberta Fire Banswebsite.