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Fire bans go into effect all over NWT

If you're planning on heading out to a territorial park over the next couple of weeks, you won't be able to enjoy a campfire at all. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has announced bans on open fires at several of its parks.
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Fire bans are now in effect at territorial parks and municipalities around the NWT. Phil McLachlan/Black Press file photo

If you're planning on heading out to a territorial park over the next couple of weeks, you won't be able to enjoy a campfire at all.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has announced bans on open fires at several of its parks. They include both Fred Henne Territorial Park and Yellowknife River Territorial Park with the ban in place there until at least July 4.

According to a release on Thursday afternoon, camp stoves, enclosed barbeques, and propane-fueled cooking and heating devices are allowed to be used, but they must be placed within regulation fire pits and should not have a flame measuring more than a half-metre in both diameter and in height.

In other words, it can't be a raging fire.

Thursday's announcement a similar one for parks in the Dehcho region (Fort Simpson Territorial Park, Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park and Blackstone Territorial Park), Hay River Territorial Park and Mackinnon Territorial Park in Norman Wells. The ban for the Dehcho parks and Hay River is July 3, while the ban in Norman Wells will be in effect until Aug. 1.

Meanwhile, a full fire ban is in effect within multiple municipalities as well. The Town of Hay River issued a complete ban on June 18 with no fire permits being issued. Open fires are also not allowed. The City of Yellowknife's fire ban came into effect Thursday afternoon at 12 p.m., according to a release on Wednesday evening. No open-air fires are allowed anywhere within the city, but camp stoves and enclosed barbecues are permitted. Propane-fueled burners are also permitted for heating and/or cooking, but must be used within the confines of a fire pit.

 



About the Author: James McCarthy

I'm the managing editor with NNSL Media and have been so since 2022.
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