Fire bans in effect
May 15, 2018, 1:55 am
Kevin Weedmark
Fire bans have been put in effect throughout the area due to extremely dry conditions this spring.
In the area covered by the Moosomin fire department, including the RMs of Moosomin and Martin and the town of Moosomin, a fire ban is in effect. Screen covered fire pits and fire rings under constant supervision are allowed.
Each municipality has its own bylaws regarding fire bans. In the RM of Martin, the RM has the power to call out the fire department to any fire that should not be burning under the current ban and charge all costs to the landowner, and anyone who contravenes the bylaw is subject to voluntary payments starting at $1,000 and fines starting at $2,000 for the first offence.
In the RM of Maryfield there is a total fire ban—no incinerators, fire pits, fireworks or burning barrels. Natural gas and propane barbecues are allowed.
The RM of Ellice-Archie, which includes the communities of McAuley and St. Lazare, has a fire ban in effect and there are no exceptions. No controlled burns will be allowed in the RM.
In the Municipality of Wallace Woodworth, which includes the communities of Elkhorn and Kola, there is a Level 2 fire ban in place. A Level 2 fire ban prohibits all open burning and yard waste burning but exempts approved fire pits. Individuals who violate the burning ban in the RM of Wallace-Woodworth are subject to a $1,000 penalty. The municipality is monitoring conditions and may go to Level 3, which would then ban fire pits as well.
The RM of Silverwood instituted a fire ban as of May 10. No open burning or fireworks will be allowed during the ban. The RM of Silverwood has the power to call out the fire department to deal with any fire that contravenes the ban, with the landowner responsible for all costs. Also under the RM of Silverwood bylaw, anyone who contravenes the bylaw is subject to voluntary payments starting at $1,000 and fines starting at $2,000 for the first offence.
All of the fire bans are in effect until further notice.
The town of Wawota, the town of Rocanville, the town of Redvers, the village of Maryfield and the RMs of Antler and Walpole currently have no fire bans in place. The town of Wapella has no fire ban, but is recommending no burning.
