City lifts fire ban in Whitecourt on the afternoon of July 29

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Due to heavy rain in Whitecourt over the past few days, the city has issued a statement saying the fire ban has been lifted as of Monday afternoon.

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The ban was initially put in place on July 10. Under the ban, fire permits were suspended and no new permits were issued.

“While the fire ban has been lifted, residents should remain vigilant and aware of potential fire risks,” the city said in a statement Monday.

According to the municipality, permits are required for all fire baskets in homes and for temporary burning.

Furthermore, the use of off-road vehicles remains prohibited within the city limits, as the traffic ordinance prohibits this between April 1 and November 30.

According to the city, violating the ordinance could result in fines or confiscation of the OHV.

The news comes after several members of the Whitecourt Fire Department were sent to Jasper on Monday to help battle wildfires in that area.

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They were the second Whitecourt team to go to Jasper, as the first crew went with Tower 1 last week.

Meanwhile, a fire restriction is in place for the Whitecourt Forest Area, under which no new burn permits will be issued, Alberta Wildfire said.

There are currently two wildfires burning in the Whitecourt Forest Area. They started east of Fox Creek on July 16th, but are now both contained.

The risk of bushfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area is assessed as “low”.

So far this year there have been 54 bushfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area, collectively destroying 29 hectares.

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