The RCMP in the northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan has charged three people after receiving multiple reports of fireworks being set off in the community, despite an ongoing fire ban across most of the province.
Police said officers were called in to investigate about 7:25 p.m. on June 1 when a number of residents called them to express their concerns about the use of fireworks when there is a high risk of wildfires.
The RCMP said investigators managed to identify and charge the people believed to be responsible.
All three are residents of Fort Chipewyan.
The charge of discharging or igniting fireworks in a forest protection area without the permission of a forest officer carries a maximum fine of $600.
Fort Chipewyan is part of the Fort McMurray forest area.
The latest update from Alberta Wildfire said there are currently five active wildfires burning in the area, with three of them classified as “out of control.”
One of the out-of-control fires — known as the Barrow Lake fire — is burning about 48 kilometres north of Fort Chipewyan and is estimated to be almost 33,000 hectares in size.
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Alberta Wildfire said the fire isn’t a threat to the community at this time, but fire crews are working to protect some cabins in the area.
While recent rain has provided firefighters with some help, Alberta Wildfire is warning about warmer and drier conditions later in the week that will further increase the fire danger.
As of noon on Monday, there were a total of 61 wildfires burning in Alberta, with 22 of them classified as out of control.
One of the most serious fires is burning along the Alberta-B.C. border, west of Grand Prairie, where Alberta Wildfire says crews are dealing with “aggressive fire behaviour,” prompting the County of Grande Prairie to order an evacuation of homes in the area.
An evacuation order also remains in effect for several communities in the Slave Lake Forest district, including Chipewyan Lake where at least 27 structures were destroyed by a wildfire last week, including the water treatment centre, seniors centre and health centre.
A evacuation order also remains in effect for the community of Chateh and surrounding area because of the Sousa Creek wildfire that is burning out of control just south of the community.
Information on all the wildfires currently burning in Alberta is also available online at alberta.ca/alberta-wildfire.
The latest information on all the fire bans across Alberta is available online at albertafirebans.ca.
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