Fire ban issued for Saskatchewan provincial parks, Crown lands

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has issued a fire ban for all Crown lands and provincial parks and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.

In a media release Friday, the SPSA said the ban — which is effective immediately — was put in place “due to hot, dry conditions and an extreme fire risk that covers most of the province.”

The ban applies to open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.

“We know that this is a popular weekend for camping and outdoor activities, but due to the extreme conditions across the province, implementing a fire ban was a necessary decision,” SPSA vice-president of operations Steve Roberts said in the release.

Also Friday, a ban on all wood fires was issued for Prince Albert National Park.

“No open fires are permitted including in camp kitchen shelters,” Parks Canada said in a release. “Only propane or naptha camp stoves are allowed.”

The latest fire risk maps and municipal fire ban map can be found here.

There currently are 18 wildfires burning in the province. So far this year, Saskatchewan has had 202 wildfires; the five-year average for this time of year is 195.

Anyone who spots a wildfire should call 1-800-667-9660 or 9-1-1 or contact their nearest SPSA Forest Protection Area office.