The Calgary Fire Department has issued a fire ban in the city citing the unseasonably dry, hot conditions in our city.

The fire ban prohibits the use of fire pits, recreational campfires, outdoor fire places, and other open flame devices that burn solid fuels, such as wood or briquettes.

“Calgary Fire has been closely monitoring all conditions throughout the summer,” says Deputy Chief Allan Ball. “Today’s fire ban reflects significant, increased risk of outdoor fires due to unseasonably dry ground conditions combined with high daytime temperatures.”

Calgarians are asked to be cautious in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where there are dry grasses and shrubs.

Under the fire ban, the following are prohibited:

  •              Open fires
  •              Fire pits
  •              Outdoor chimeneas
  •              Solid fuel barbecues and stoves (charcoal briquettes or wood)
  •              Tiki torches
  •              Fireworks and exploding targets

The following are currently allowed:

  •              Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
  •              Gas or propane stoves and barbeques that are CSA approved or UL certified.
  •              Patio heaters (propane, catalytic or infrared/radiant)
  •              Internal household fire places
  •              Indoor open air fire permits

The fire ban will be in effect until further notice, when ground and weather conditions are no longer deemed a risk to health and safety.

Just a reminder, a fire ban is still in place for the back country as fire crews continue to battle the Verdant Creek wildfire.

The water source is also low due to this hot, dry heat and that’s impacting area farmers.

The owner of the Saskatoon Farm says he’s lost thousands of kilograms of Saskatoon berries because they’ve all dried up.

Paul Haymer says it’s been at least 10 years since he’s seen such a long stretch of hot, dry weather.

 “Revenue is down a bit because so many of the saskatoons are dried up ,” he says. “We could've picked a lot more. We had the customers but the fruit was just a bit dried. We were expecting a huge bumper crop but it tapered out to mediocre because of the heat.”

Environment Canada says Calgary is on track for the hottest summer in more than 100 years.