Banff National Park fire ban issued [Video]

Drought-like conditions in Banff National Park have led to a fire ban being issued – meaning no campfires starting on Saturday.

Lighting or maintaining fires is prohibited in the park effective July 13 at 12:01 a.m., Parks Canada announced in a news release Friday. The ban includes all front and backcountry campgrounds.

“After several days of hot, dry weather, Banff is experiencing drought-like conditions,” Parks Canada said.

“This fire ban is to ensure the safety of visitors, and residents, and for the protection of park infrastructure.”

The ban includes all open fires and prohibits the use of:

• Wood or briquette campfires;
• Wood, charcoal or briquette barbecues;
• Outdoor wood-burning stoves (including cooking shelters);
• Turkey fryers; and
• Tiki torches.

Some items permitted under the ban, provided they are supervised, include:

• Portable propane fire pits (prohibited at overflow campgrounds);
• Gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating;
• Propane or gas-fueled lanterns (enclosed flame);
• Patio heaters (propane, catalytic, or infrared/radiant); and
• Indoor wood-burning stoves within fully …