Concern over increasing fire dangers in southern Alberta has prompted Lethbridge County and Vulcan County to put fire bans in place, which means all fire permits are cancelled and all burning is now prohibited.
This includes recreational campfires, backyard burning barrels, charcoal barbecues, fireworks or any open flame.
Use of certain items, such as propane stoves and gas firepits, is still allowed. Full details can be found on the websites for Lethbridge County and Vulcan County.
Heath Wright, the director of emergency services for Lethbridge County, said the decision to implement a fire ban was made because of the rising temperatures, windy conditions and the growing number of wildfires in the province, which he described as “quite alarming.”
“A lot of people don’t realize that one of our key seasons for wildfire is spring because of the Chinook winds and the heat fluctuating so much,” said Wright.
“And even though it’s green out and it looks great and there’s lots of moisture, the fire signs behind it is indicating that we are in extreme risk and the vegetation is dry even though is green.”
Soaring temperatures combined with strong winds and low humidity have created extreme fire danger across most of Alberta.
Global News
The City of Lethbridge also put a fire ban in place earlier this week, saying warm weather conditions and low humidity have significantly elevated the fire risk.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
The provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan have also declared a provincial state of emergency because of the number of fires burning in those areas.
Heath Wright, director of emergency services for Lethbridge County, said the decision to implement a fire ban was made in communication with fire officials in other jurisdictions.
Global News
“It’s one of the check boxes that we look at for other regions across Canada,” Wright said. “We talk to officials. We’re always in communication.
“We always look at our brothers and sisters and collaborate and make sure that we’re all doing this because it’s not just our fight, it’s everybody’s fight.”
Residents of the Lethbridge area are also being asked to exercise extreme caution when disposing of smoking materials because they can easily ignite dry vegetation, starting a wildfire that can quickly get out of control.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
DJ Kamal Mustafa
I’m DJ Kamal Mustafa, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of EMEA Tribune, a digital news platform that focuses on critical stories from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan. With a deep passion for investigative journalism, I’ve built a reputation for delivering exclusive, thought-provoking reports that highlight the region’s most pressing issues.
I’ve been a journalist for over 10 years, and I’m currently associated with EMEA Tribune, ARY News, Daily Times, Samaa TV, Minute Mirror, and many other media outlets. Throughout my career, I’ve remained committed to uncovering the truth and providing valuable insights that inform and engage the public.
