Dry conditions and high winds have prompted Sturgeon County to issue a fire advisory.
The advisory is not a full fire ban, but is the first step in that direction and means the county will no longer issue any new fire permits.
“Those people who have fire permits can still burn as long as they do so with extreme caution and within the conditions of the permit,” said Sturgeon spokesperson Calli Stromner.
Residents with permits need to make sure they burn safely and follow all the conditions, including a ban on burning during high winds.
“You can't leave the fire burning. You have to make sure your situation is under control at all times and you have something to put the fire out if it looks like it is going to be out of control.”
Strathcona County has taken the action one step further, issuing a full fire ban suspending all of their existing fire permits.
Stromner said it is up to the county's fire chief to decide if the county will take a similar course.
Sturgeon has experienced several small fires over the last few days including three separate blazes that broke out Thursday around Lost Point Lake Estates and another on Tuesday night near Redwater.
The county is asking residents to be extra cautious, making sure cigarettes are disposed of correctly and that ATVs have spark arresters.
