WATCH ABOVE: With the long weekend coming up, many Albertans need to be aware of fire bans and other restrictions. Margeaux Morin reports.
EDMONTON – Alberta is urging campers and drivers of off-highway vehicles to be extra careful not to spark wildfires on the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend.
The fire risk in much of the backcountry already ranges from moderate to high due to dry conditions, wind and rising temperatures.
Janelle Lane, an Alberta Environment spokeswoman, said the risk could get worse if weather forecasts hold.
“In places where the grass is dry and brown and dead -it hasn’t turned green yet – there is a high wildfire hazard there,” she said Monday. “If we don’t get some moisture and rain, we will be going into the May long weekend at a very high wildfire hazard.”
She said ATV drivers should check their vehicles for buildups of grass and other debris that could catch fire.
“Especially with the dry grass conditions we have now – that is the perfect storm for an off-highway vehicle wildfire to start.”
Lane said with no lightning at this time of year, the other main wildfire risk is unattended or improperly extinguished camp fires.
The province plans to have about 500 firefighters on standby this weekend along with a fleet of helicopters.
People can check www.Albertafirebans.ca for the latest wildfire conditions and fire restrictions across the province.
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