‘It’s important to be cautious right now’ says Lethbridge County officials

LETHBRIDGE – The city of Lethbridge and the county have become the latest jurisdictions in southern Alberta to implement fire bans as continued warm and dry weather has raised the wildfire hazard across much of the province.

Wildfires burning in the Fort McMurray areas have grown to at least 85,000 hectares, and tens of thousands have been evacuated from their homes.

READ MORE: Where Fort McMurray fire evacuees can get help and information

“Effective immediately and until further notice, a fire ban has been placed on all open fires within the City of Lethbridge,” officials said in a press release.

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The fire restriction prohibits all open fires, including campfires on private land, back country and camping areas. Safe wood campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.

Velvet Hughes, the manager of Bridgeview RV Resort in the river bottom says it’s extremely dry around the campsites.

“The hazard is so high. I don’t think it’s going to be letting up for a while,” Hughes says.

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READ MORE: Fort McMurray fire: Alberta warned of ‘catastrophic’ fire risk in 2012 report

“The county of Lethbridge says its biggest concern is our resources are stretched to the limit right now,” says Lorne Hickey, the reeve of the county of Lethbridge.” Any additional fires or anything like that will tax the fire system to the maximum it could provide. It’s important to be cautious right now.”

The county of Lethbridge says currently they have a team on standby if they are needed in Fort McMurray and are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

For a complete list of fire advisories, restrictions and bans, visit the Alberta Fire Bans website.