Enjoying a wiener roast or having fun roasting marshmallows will just have to wait this summer as a fire ban is in now in place for most provincial parks in Saskatchewan.
The ban applies to all provincial Crown land, burn notification areas and provincial parks and recreation sites within the ban area. This includes Clearwater River and Lac La Ronge provincial parks, but excludes Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where fire hazards are lower.
The province issued the ban Tuesday following the ongoing dry conditions and current wildfire situation.
“It covers a large geographic area, because unfortunately that’s the way the weather pattern, with that ridge of high pattern, is holding,” explained Steve Roberts, executive director of the wildfire management branch of the Ministry of Environment.
No open fires or fireworks are permitted for the duration of the ban. Self-contained heating devices, pressurized stoves, gas barbecues, propane firepits or charcoal briquettes used in an approved firebox will be permitted for cooking and heating purposes during the ban.
There are 15 active fires in the province, two aren’t contained yet. There have been 148 wildfires in Saskatchewan so far this year, the average is 86.
The rally fire west of Prince Albert is still not contained and has forced an evacuation in the hamlet Crutwell.
“We have crews, heavy equipment and air support working on that fire,” Roberts said.
As well, the tuff fire in Meadow Lake Provincial Park is also not contained.
As many people head out for the Victoria Day long weekend you are asked to check with your local authority to find out if there are burning restrictions in place for your area or where you plan to travel.