Leduc County the latest in Edmonton-area to issue fire ban

On Friday, officials with Leduc County issued a fire ban, making it the second to issue a fire ban, and the third to take action to prevent grass fires in the capital region.

As of Friday, April 1, no fire permits will be issued, and all fire permits that were previously issued are suspended.

The fire ban prohibits county residents from having open fires, campfires, fire used for cooking or warmth, burning barrels and setting of fireworks.

“When we issue fire bans, it’s early May, usually it’s around May long-weekend typically, and we will put fire bans on later in the year near the fall when the crops are off the field and the grass goes dormant,” Fire Marshal Brad Gurmin said.

Anyone found responsible for setting a prohibited fire will be responsible for the costs of putting out the blaze, and may be charged under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act.

Beaver County already has a fire ban in effect, and Lamont County has issued a fire advisory notice.

Just east of Lamont County, the County of Minburn also issued a fire ban on Friday.

More details on fire bans in Alberta are available online.

With files from Michel Boyer