This is the 2nd time this summer the territory has implemented a sweeping fire ban for the region
For the second time this summer, a sweeping fire ban is being implemented for all public and private lands in the North Slave.
The restrictions include a ban on starting an open fire, shooting, fireworks and cancellation of burn permits, according to a news release from N.W.T. Fire on Wednesday.
It said the ban is due to extreme fire danger and extraordinary weather conditions.
The news release said the department is trying to avoid people causing fires “to protect communities and protect wildfire fighting resources.”
A similar ban was issued in June, but it also included the South Slave.
A similar ban is in place for multiple territorial parks across the North Slave, South Slave and Dehcho.
In it’s daily update on Tuesday, N.W.T. Fire warned of “widespread thunderstorms, some of which could be strong to severe with gusty winds, possible hail, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.”
The fire ban is scheduled to be in effect until July 28.
Here’s what the ban includes:
- Starting, tending to or using open fire outdoors, including in an open fire pit or burn barrel
- Burn permits are temporarily cancelled while the order is in effect
- Discharging firearms with incendiary or tracer ammunition
- Fireworks or firecrackers
- Shooting or detonating exploding targets
- Igniting sky lanterns
- Igniting signal flare devices or pyrotechnic bear bangers unless in emergency situations
- Storing flare devices, bear bangers, fireworks or firecrackers in a manner that may cause them to be ignited.
The ban does not apply in National Parks.
Indigenous people using fire to excercise treaty rights such as cooking or hide tanning are exempt from the fire restriction.
Exemptions also include people using closed stoves, as well as, propane and closed barbecues.
The government is asking anyone who sees violations to report them to N.W.T. Fire.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Back burning planned to head off wildfire near Wrigley, N.W.T., CBC News
Finland: Wildfires continue to burn across Lapland, Yle News
Norway: Smoke from Canadian wildfires forecast to reach Norway, The Associated Press
Sweden: High risk of wildfires in many parts of Sweden, including North, Radio Sweden
United States: Wildfires in Anchorage? Climate change sparks disaster fears, The Associated Press
