A fire ban is now in effect in the MD of Foothills.

Issued Wednesday, all fire permits issued under the authority of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act are now suspended. Outdoor fires presently burning must be extinguished, and new fires including fire barrels, burning pits, and fireworks should not be lit.

Propane devices like barbeques and warmers are not prohibited and some facilities may still use flare stacks with permission from the fire chief.

Jim Smith, fire chief of the MD of Foothills Fire Department, says dry conditions are what prompted the ban.

"It's due to the very, very, extremely dry conditions in the forested areas and also the grass itself is starting to cure and dry out," Smith says.

Smith says the department has responded to several small fires in the past week.

"Firefighters have been really quick to extinguish the small fires when they're still small, so we just want to keep it that way. We want to reduce the risk to our residents and reduce the risk to the firefighters in these extremely dry conditions."

Smith says the fire ban will remain in place until conditions improve.

Black Diamond also issued a far ban on Wednesday, effective indefinitely.

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