As the weather warms, southern NWT communities and parks have begun instituting fire bans.
A partial fire ban is in place in Hay River from May 21st. All fires and previously issued permits are banned, except for approved backyard fire pits.
In Fort Smith, there is a ban on all outdoor burning within the town. “Due to extremely dry conditions and high winds absolutely no open flame of any kind is permitted,” the ban states.
Queen Elizabeth and Little Buffalo River Falls territorial parks are also under fire bans due to very dry forest conditions. NWT Parks states campstoves and enclosed barbecues are allowed during the ban. Cooking devices which use propane supplied to a burner are also allowed, these must be used within a firepit at a campsite and the fire cannot be over half a metre in diameter or height.
