File photo of an ATV (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Off-highway vehicle use not part of fire ban within the Fire Protection Area

Apr 21, 2020 | 11:36 AM

CROWSNEST PASS, AB – As the weather improves, it appears as though Albertans will be able to use their off-highway vehicles (OHV) after all.

Last week, a fire ban was enacted in the Forest Protection Area (FPA), a zone that includes the Crowsnest Pass in southern Alberta. A prohibition on OHV use was part of the initial announcement.

READ MORE: Alberta announces several enforceable actions to prevent spring wildfires

However, that portion of the fire ban has been lifted, according to government officials and Patrick Thomas, the CAO of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

“What’s been communicated from the province is they’ve modified OHV restrictions to no longer be for the entire Forest Protection Area, and to be on a regional approach as needed,” Thomas told LNN.

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This means that locally, off-highway vehicles can be used within the Crowsnest Pass area and other zones in the FPA.

Thomas said the province will monitor local conditions and adjust the allowance of OHV use as needed.

FIRE BAN

One of the reasons for the initial ban and inclusion of OHV use in that prohibition was to reduce the number of human-caused fires. The province has said that firefighting resources may be challenged due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Further details on any OHV prohibitions can be seen here.

The enacted fire ban for the FPA states that all fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, although those will need to be approved by a forest officer.

Safe wood campfires on public, and private lands and provincial campgrounds are prohibited, as are backyard firepits and barbeques with charcoal briquettes.

Propane/natural gas-powered appliances are allowed, as are open flame CSA approved oil devices. Wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, that have a chimney with a spark arrestor are also allowed.

A detailed map of the Fire Protection Area, with information on bans per municipalities across Alberta can be seen here.

Thomas told LNN that the Staging Area and Alberta Public Land closures remain in effect.

The following areas of Public Land in and around the Crowsnest Pass are closed to motorized vehicles under Environment and Parks Ministerial Order:

· Allison Day Use

· Atlas Flats Staging Area

· MacGillivray Staging Area

· York Creek Staging Area

· Sartoris Staging Area

· Willow Creek – Johnson Creek Staging Area

· Beaver Creek Staging Area – Porcupine Hills

No vehicles are allowed to park within any designated parking lot or staging area or any location within one kilometre of the closed areas.

“They don’t want people congregating at those staging areas or within one kilometre of any of the ones they have put restrictions on,” Thomas said.

He added a thank you to everyone in the Crowsnest Pass area for helping limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We thank everyone for all that they’re doing, be it the front-line workers, the stores and the residents for doing their part to help each other out, social distancing and just trying to help everyone through this situation…it’s much appreciated,” he said.

He also noted that the community clean-up event scheduled for April 25 in Blairmore has been cancelled. The clean-up scheduled for May will be reviewed at the midway point of the month.