At the end of last Tuesday afternoon's Lac La Biche County Council meeting, in the midst of the area's third rain shower in five days, administrators officially gave notice that the municipal fire ban has been lifted from all county areas.
The lifting of the ban follows the province's easing of restrictions on fires from the total fire ban status that has been in place since March to a fire advisory. The new status was updated last Monday night.
A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.
Provincial officials say the easing of restrictions is due to recent precipitation in many areas of the province within the Fire Protection Area.
Although many parts of Lac La Biche County do not fall within the protection area, it has been the municipality's long-standing guideline to follow the province's lead in order to avoid confusion among residents.
"Officially, we've lifted the fire ban," said Lac La Biche County's interim CAO Ken Van Buul at around 2:30 last Tuesday afteroon. What he called "major burns" will require permits from the municipal fire guardians, but backyard firepits and campfires in approved areas are now permitted.
"Knock yourself out," said Van Buul, adding with a smile — "just please don't burn the countryside down, please."