The Ministry of Environment has placed a ban on all open fires for provincial Crown land, provincial parks plus recreational sites across the Southwest.
The decision, in consultation with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, is issued in response to the extreme wildfire hazards which exist in the region.
Effective immediately, all open fires are prohibited in the following area: south of Highway 7 from the Alberta border east to Rosetown; west of Highway 4 south to the junction of highways 4 and 15; south of Highway 15 west to the junction of highways 15 and 11; west of Highway 11 south to Regina; and west of Highway 6 from Regina to the U.S. border.
The ban affects all provincial parks and recreation sites in the ban area, including: Buffalo Pound, Cypress Hills (Centre and West blocks), Danielson, Douglas, Saskatchewan Landing, St. Victor’s Petroglyphs and Wood Mountain Post provincial parks; Elbow Harbour, Coldwell Park, Cypress Lake, and Lovering Lake recreation sites.
For a full list of all provincial parks and recreations sites covered by the ban, visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/wildfire-in-saskatchewan/fire-bans.
Due to extreme wildfire hazards, some roads and campgrounds may be closed. If you plan to visit a provincial park or recreation site, call the park in advance to confirm conditions. This ban applies to provincial Crown land, and provincial parks and recreation sites. Municipalities, as well as regional and national parks, may also ban open burning in their areas of responsibility.
Check with your local authority to find out if there are burning restrictions in place for your area. For the duration of the ban, no open fires are permitted. Fireworks are also prohibited. Self-contained heating devices, pressurized stoves, gas barbecues, propane firepits, or charcoal briquettes used in an approved firebox will be permitted for cooking and heating purposes during the ban.
The fire ban is effective immediately and will stay in place until conditions improve and the Ministry of Environment rescinds the order.
