ATHABASCA - Athabasca County has issued a fire advisory for lands within the county located outside the forest protection area.
Due to dry conditions and a continued lack of rain or snow in recent months, new fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy burning, including windrows, machine-piled brush piles, bales, and old structures.
The Lac La Biche Forest Area also has a fire advisory in place — any burning without a valid permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited. Safe wood campfires, backyard fire pits, portable propane fire pits, gas or propane stoves and barbeques, and catalytic or infrared style heaters are still allowed.
The county is urging residents to inspect permitted burn sites to ensure they are completely out as fire can smoulder underground over the winter months. It is the landowners responsibility to ensure that all permitted burns are extinguished prior to expiration of their permit.
Existing heavy burn permits will not be renewed, and all other fire permit requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The fire control order will remain in effect until it is amended or revoked by the county.
