Fire ban issued for Banff National Park

A fire ban has been issued for Banff National Park because of hot, dry, "drought-like" conditions in the area.

The ban will take effect just after midnight on Saturday morning and includes all campgrounds and day-use areas in the national park. It also applies within the community of Lake Louise.

According to a new release, the ban will be lifted when conditions allow.

"While we cannot avoid naturally occurring wildfires (ex. lightning strikes), we can avoid human-caused fires. Please do your part to keep our communities and first responders safe by not lighting illegal campfires and properly disposing of cigarettes and other combustible items," a representative from Parks Canada said in the release. 

"If you see any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke, please report to Banff Emergency Dispatch: 403-762-4506."

Open fires are not permitted under the fire ban, including:

• Wood, charcoal or briquette barbecues.
• Wood or briquette campfires.
• Outdoor wood-burning stoves.
• Turkey fryers.
• Tiki torches.

The ban does allow portable propane fire kits, gas or propane stoves, barbecues and lanterns, patio heaters and indoor wood-burning stoves in fully enclosed buildings — as long as they are directly supervised and certified by the Canadian Standards Association or Underwriters Laboratories.

Visit Parks Canada's website for more information on the items that can and can't be used during the ban.