County of Settler has issued an open-ended fire ban covering all the territory of the county due to “extremely dry” conditions.
A statement released by Mark Dennis, regional fire chief, said with the ban, issuance of new fire permits was prohibited and the outstanding fire permits were annulled.
It said the ban covered all outdoor fires including open fires, camp fires, fires used for cooking, burning barrels, propane fire pits, and chimeneas. Discharge of all kinds of fireworks is also prohibited by the fire ban order.
The statement says only cooking appliances fuelled by liquid fuel, internal household fireplaces with approved spark arrester and fires contained in industrial facilities or sites were to be allowed.
“A person who sets fire not allowed under this ban will be responsible for the costs of extinguishing the fire pursuant to the County of Stettler policy A.A 52 and may be charged under the Forest and Prairie protection Act,” the statement said.
The ban is to stay in effect until further notice.