A toasty campfire on a crisp autumn night is off limits at provincial campgrounds in Central Alberta after a fire ban was issued on Friday.
The bans will continue until further notice.
“As long as conditions are dry and prone to risk, then they will be in place,” said Camille Weleschuk, spokesperson with Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
Fire bans prohibit the use of all wood, briquette and propane/natural gas fires, including those in designated fire facilities and portable fire pits.
Gas and propane stoves and barbecues, when approved for cooking, are allowed.
So far this season, provincial parks officers have issued about two dozen fines of $287 or warnings.
This year, 58 fire bans have so far been issued for provincial campgrounds, compared with 23 in 2008 and 107 in 2007.
Bans are now in place at the following parks and recreation areas:
• Aspen Beach Provincial Park
• Buck Lake Provincial Recreation Area
• Calhoun Bay Provincial Recreation Area
• Dickson Dam — Cottonwood Provincial Recreation Area
• Dickson Dam — Dickson Point Provincial Recreation Area
• Dickson Dam — North Dyke Provincial Area
• Dickson Dam — North Valley Provincial Recreation Area
• Dickson Dam — South Dyke Provincial Recreation Area
• Dickson Dam — South Valley Provincial Recreation Area
• Jarvis Bay Provincial Park
• Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
• Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
• Sylvan Lake Provincial Park
• Raven Provincial Recreation Area
• Red Lodge Provincial Park
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com