A number of wildfires are burning in Alberta and officials have implemented a fire ban across the province prohibiting open fires in camping areas.

The fire ban went into effect at noon on Monday and officials say the wildfire hazard is very high and extreme in some areas because of the warm, dry weather over the last few weeks.

Provincial officials say 29 wildfires are currently burning in the province, including a 200-hectare wildfire that forced the evacuation of approximately 2,000 residents of Wabasca on Sunday night.

They say the hot, dry weather will likely continue over the next few days and that could further elevate the wildfire hazard.

The full fire ban prohibits all open fires, including campfires in campgrounds or backcountry and random camping areas and includes charcoal briquettes.

Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed.

Officials say as of Monday, all fire permits are suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.

More than 1,300 wildland firefighters and about 100 aircraft have been deployed to deal with the wildfires that are already burning.

The Lung Association is reminding residents to keep an eye on air-quality reports and says people with asthma, COPD and other lung-related illnesses could find they are having difficulties breathing because of the smoke from the wildfires.

“Not only do these wildfires pose a danger to natural habitat, they also pose a danger to human health,” said Sufi Hassan, Program Specialist for Environment and Health at TLA. "Those with asthma or COPD could find themselves struggling to breathe during a wildfire, even if the fire is burning hundreds of kilometres away.”

  • Click HERE  for more information on how to protect yourself when there is poor air quality.

The province says additional resources have also been sent from Ontario and Quebec to help fight the fires.

The fire ban applies to the province’s Forest Protection Area (FPA).

Jurisdictions outside the FPA, including municipalities and provincial parks, may issue their own fire restrictions or bans if necessary.

Since April 1, Alberta has experienced 629 wildfires that have burned 13,098 hectares.

For more information on restrictions and bans visit albertafirebans.ca, download the Alberta Wildfire app or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (1-866-394-3473).

To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE (310-3473).