Fire bans and restrictions blanket Southern Alberta

AtLundbreck Fallsyou can't deep fry a turkey or enjoy the light from yourTiki torches. In the MD of Foothills No. 31, fireworks are verboten.

Much of Southern Albertafrom the Saskatchewan border clear across to the Rockiesis under either a fire advisory, a fire restriction or an outright fire ban thanksto dry hot weather.

Though a fire ban might not be as bad as you think.

Level 1 firebans in areas like Chestermere allow you to light most things up, including outdoor fires in approved pits. More serious bans, like those implemented by the Town of Taber, prevent all open fires and revoke all burning permits. Somehow backyard fire pits are not covered as long as they comply with local bylaws.

Alberta has a five-level, colour-coded system for fire threats, ranging from a restriction (green), to forest area closures (black).

These levels are not necessarily recognized by municipalities and there are often exclusions from the ban.

In Waterton, a fire ban prevents all outdoor fires save picnic shelters at Cameron Bay and Emerald Bay and kitchen shelters at the Townsite Campground.

Current fire bans in southern Alberta:

• Chestermere
• Black Diamond
• MD of Foothills No. 31
• MD of Acadia No. 34
• Cypress County
• MD of Taber
• Town of Taber
• Lethbridge
• Lethbridge County
• Waterton National Park

Current fire restrictions in Southern Alberta:

• Town of Trochu
• Kneehill County
• Vulcan County
• County of Newell No. 4