Effective at noon MT on Monday, July 6, and until further notice, the City of Cranbrook is banning any and all cooking fires and campfires within the municipal boundaries. This ban does not apply to appliances and barbeques that use gas, propane or briquettes.

The decision was made by Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services officials this morning in support of the campfire and open fire bans put into place by the provincial Wildfire Management Branch on Friday, July 3.

“As a community we need to be responsible with respect to public safety and taking a break from burning during this exceptionally dry period only makes sense,” says Chief Wayne Price, Director of Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. “The fire service in the province is overwhelmed right now, and to continue allowing campfires inside our city boundaries sends the wrong message to our residents and neighbours. It is never an easy decision to take away any form of recreation, but in this case, asking residents to forego campfires is the right choice, and we trust that everyone can accept this decision.”

Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services ask that if you see smoke or fire, please do not assume others have reported it. Call the Southeast Fire Centre toll free at 1-800-663-5555 or call *5555 on most cellular networks.

The current fire danger rating for Cranbrook and area is considered high to extreme, according to the most recent data from the Ministry of Forest, Land and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) – Wildfire Management Branch. Forest fuels are extremely dry and the wildfire risk is very serious. New fires may start easily and burn vigorously and challenge fire suppression efforts.

For the latest wildfire news, current fire danger ratings and maps on active fires in the Southeast Fire Centre please visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

City of Cranbrook

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