Campfires banned in Yellowknife, 5 territorial parks

As summer officially kicks off, the hot and dry weather has prompted multiple fire bans in the N.W.T.

Open fires are banned at five territorial parks, and a ban on fires in the City of Yellowknife comes into effect on Thursday at 12 p.m. MT.

The bans were announced after a wildfire — suspected to be person-caused — led to the evacuation of Fort Good Hope, N.W.T.

Yellowknife

In Yellowknife, the ban prohibits open-air burning within the city limits, and includes all outdoor fire pits.

Camp stoves and enclosed barbecues are still allowed, according to a statement from the city. Propane-fuelled burners for heating or cooking are also allowed as long as they're used within the confines of a fire pit.

In a statement, the city's fire chief, Nelson Johnson said the bans are a proactive measure to prevent wildfires.

Territorial parks

The bans in five territorial parks prohibit campfires, even those in approved fire pits, and all wood fires, including those contained within special devices.

Propane-fuelled camp stoves and enclosed barbecues are permitted, as are propane-fuelled cooking and heating devices.

According to a statement from the territorial government, the devices must be placed within regulation fire pits and shouldn't emit a flame that's more than 0.5 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres in height.

The most up-to-date list of parks with fire bans is available on N.W.T. parks website. This ban includes Blackstone, Sambaa Deh Falls, Fort Simpson, MacKinnon and Hay River parks.

End dates for the fire bans in both the parks and Yellowknife have not yet been set.