Fire ban takes effect in Banff National Park

Dry conditions have prompted Parks Canada and the Town of Banff to put a fire ban in effect for the entire national park.

The ban includes all open fires and applies to all front and backcountry campgrounds and day-use areas in the park.

"Vegetation within the park remains extremely dry despite the small amounts of precipitation and lower temperatures in recent days," the town said on its website.

Gas or propane stoves designed for cooking or heating are allowed. Also exempted from the ban are patio heaters, indoor wood burning stoves within fully enclosed permanent buildings and propane or gas fuelled lanterns with an enclosed flame.

The ban took effect Aug. 5 and will be in place until further notice, Parks Canada says.

Violators can be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and face fines up to $25,000.

Provincial fire bans and restrictions are also in place across southern Alberta, including in the city of Lethbridge's river valley and in the town of Three Hills due to limited water supply.

The bans come as unpredictable fire behaviour in B.C. has forced the evacuation of the entire community of Olalla and an evacuation alert for the village of Keremeos.

The blaze is one of 146 that have been reported to the BC Wildfire Service in the past week.

Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures in the 30s in B.C. in the coming week and gusty winds could complicate firefighting efforts, but there's been no sign so far of the lightning storms that have started many recent wildfires.

The plus-30 temperatures are also expected to hit southern Alberta next week.