Fire bans implemented for about half of Saskatchewan
Extreme risk of wildfires in areas across the province
The Government of Saskatchewan has implemented a fire ban for almost all of the areas north of Saskatoon.
The ban applies to provincial Crown land including parks. Parks Canada has also banned wood fires in Prince Albert National Park until further notice.
People in the affected regions are instructed not to have any sort of wood campfire.
Steve Roberts, the province's head of wildfire management, says campers can still make fires using briquettes.
"If you burn or want a campfire or barbecue it will have to be briquettes or natural gas," Roberts said. "That will include the provincial parks in that same area. So all our northern provincial parks will also have a fire ban this weekend."
Provincial fire officials are also warning of extreme high risk situations for areas in the south.
While the ban does not apply to southern Saskatchewan, municipalities could implement individual bans.
There are currently 21 active fires in the province and more than 180 have taken place this year.
Humans have caused nearly all of the wildfires except for two.
"If we can eliminate human-cause fire starts, we'll eliminate the work load and eliminate the risk as best as we can," Roberts said.
Take a look at the maps below to see where the fire bans apply as well as the widespread extreme risk zones.
Extreme risk
Fire bans
