ATHABASCA - Rising temperatures and increasingly dry conditions in the Athabasca region have prompted the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce to postpone the fireworks show slated to punctuate Canada Day celebrations on July 1.
With The Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County upgrading their fire bans from advisories to restrictions Monday and Tuesday, the chamber decided it was in the best interests of everyone to delay the display out of an abundance of caution.
Chamber member Todd Dutchak was tasked with organizing the fireworks show, but after speaking with Athabasca fire chief Travis Shalapay this morning it was officially put off.
“Better safe than sorry, right?” said Dutchak shortly after the decision was made. “We’re postponing the fireworks show until we have better conditions.
“If we can get some moisture, and some cooler temperatures, then we can shoot something off. With the county doing their fire restrictions, and after talking to the fire chief Travis. He said he couldn't, in good faith, set them off either.
“This year, we just wanted to make sure we had a good set of fireworks again, to make sure that people were happy because the fireworks are such a great pick me up for the community,” said Dutchak.
The town’s fire restriction was put in place as of noon today, soon after the county.
The fire control order prohibits discharging fireworks, halts all new fire permits, and the lighting of fires outside of approved pits and appliances. Within those approved pits, fires must be kept to a reasonable size with extinguishing material in the immediate area, and must be supervised by a “responsible individual” at all times.
The order also does not apply to cooking appliances that use liquid fuel (propane, natural gas, or camping fuel) such as barbecues or camping stoves; internal household fireplaces with a spark arrester or screen to prevent sparks from escaping; portable fire pits and radiant heaters fuelled solely by liquid fuel; and electronically operated pellet smokers where combustion is contained within an engineered firebox.
The notice on the upgrade to the fire ban from Athabasca County stated: “This restriction prohibits the discharge of fireworks and exploding targets and suspends all existing fire permits issued, including burn barrels. New fire permits will not be issued until the current fire hazard conditions improve. No open fires are allowed in backcountry or random camping areas. Safe cooking and warming fires are allowed in fire rings at this time. Caution should be exercised during windy conditions and never leave a campfire unattended.
“Athabasca County urges everyone to also use extreme caution when working or driving in grassy areas, be mindful of debris collecting on hot exhaust which can heat up, fall to the ground, and start a wildfire.”
A fire restriction has been also been expanded to include most of the Forest Protection Area of Alberta due to hot and dry conditions and increased fire danger, which includes the Lac La Biche Forest Protection Area in the northern part of Athabasca County.
More information on the fire hazard risk across the province can be found at https://albertafirebans.ca/
