As of Thursday morning a fire ban is in place for the Town of Okotoks.

The ban is a result of continued dry conditions and is meant to help avoid a situation that could put a strain on remaining resources to potentially help with efforts in battling the wildfires in Fort McMurray.

Ken Thevenot, Fire Chief of the Okotoks Fire Department, says the department is currently on a stand-by list and have been in contact with the fire commissioner's office and will take direction from them and Alberta Emergency Management to assist with efforts up north.

"Right now we're looking at partnering with the MD of Foothills to possibly send an engine, bush truck, and some of our members," he says. "The other thing we have to think of is fuel going up there as well because there is limited fuel so we'd probably have to take a support vehicle as well to carry fuel supplies for our team to sustain them while they're up there, you want to be self sufficient."

Thevenot says it's a bit of a balancing act.

"You have to try to make your move where you want to keep enough resources in our community. We're putting on a fire ban here because of the dry conditions then you want to take resources away from us. We have to really try to gage how we move forward and make those moves so we do keep our area safe and if anything happens in the southern portion of the province we're prepared for that as well."

The fire ban means no campfires or any type of open fires are allowed in campgrounds or backyards including charcoal briquettes and any kind of outdoor torches.

Barbeques or stoves that run off of gas or propane and portable propane fire pits are allowed.

All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued at this time.

The fire ban will remain in effect until a significant amount of moisture is received and resources have become more stable.

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