Fire bans are now in place for several rural municipalities in the area, including the RMs of Corman Park, RM of Vanscoy and RM of Blucher.
Fire bans were implemented in the RM of Vanscoy and RM of Blucher on Wednesday, April 27.
The RM of Corman Park implemented its fire ban at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 28. A notice on the RM of Corman Park states the fire ban is needed because of dry conditions.
Under the ban, no fires are allowed within the lands that fall under the jurisdiction of the RM of Corman Park. This includes unincorporated hamlets, but does not include incorporated urban municipalities such as Warman and Martensville. Residents of urban and rural municipalities in the region are advised to check their local municipal website for updated information.
The RM fire bans require all outdoor fires currently burning to be extinguished, and prohibits any new fires. The ban includes fire pits, burning barrels, controlled burns, and fireworks, with the only exceptions being internal household fireplaces and gas-fueled equipment such as propane barbecues or propane fire pits.
Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin stated that the fire ban does not apply to properties inside the boundaries of the City of Warman. He noted that backyard fire pits are allowed within Warman city limits, but only where the city’s fire bylaw “is followed to the letter. “Austin said he expects the fire ban to last a few weeks.
Fire bans are periodically implemented in rural municipalities when dry conditions prevail. In recent weeks, several serious wildfires have occurred in the RMs of Corman Park and Vanscoy.