LAC LA BICHE - Even though it was large fires that were stopping long-weekend campers from having fires of their own — the recent provincial fire ban didn't seem to burn-up many camping plans
Campsites across the Lakeland were busy for the first official weekend of the Canadian camping season, say local officials, despite smoky conditions and a total ban on campfires.
Active wildfires across the province had forced an Alberta-wide fire ban, meaning no wood fires in backyard fire pits or campsite stalls. On top of that, smoke from several of the larger fires had blanketed many parts of the province, including the Lakeland area.
"Despite the smoky atmosphere in the Lac La Biche Region over the May long weekend, it was fabulous to see all the campsites, group use, cabins and tipi sites in Sir Winston Churchill Park and Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area fully booked," said Heather Stromquist, the manager of economic Development and Tourism with Lac La Biche County.
The natural beauty of the region and the draw of the Great Outdoors couldn't be beat, she noted.
"Alberta Parks and the Lac La Biche Region has so much to offer," she said, appreciative that visitors to the area followed the fire ban rules. "We are thankful that the campers enjoyed their law-abiding propane fires they brought with them in the campgrounds, ... It was nice to see everyone doing their part to keep the Lac La Biche Region safe."
Lots to do
Despite the smoky conditions, Stromquist said visitors were enjoying the area's lakes for fishing and boating. Weekend numbers also show that interpretive programming in the region was well-received by visitors. The second installment of the Music in the Forest concert series on May 20 at Sir Winston Churchill Park drew an appreciative audience for singer-songwriter Von Bieker. The local bike trails had activity and the region also saw bird enthusiasts recording the arrival of many of the area's migratory bird populations.
And while campers were enjoying a weekend of down-time as best as they could in the campsites and parks , Stromquist said the smoky skies and fire restrictions kept people thinking about the men and women who were working over the same weekend to keep them safe.
"We know everyone is thankful for all of the crews fighting wildfires throughout the province," she said.
Fire Restriction
The provincial fire ban was downgraded to a fire restriction following the long weekend, meaning that in permitted areas, campfires are allowed. Warmer temperatures and less-than-expected precipitation over the week has kept the fire hazard across most of Alberta at high to extreme levels.
In the Lakeland, going into the current week, there is only one wildland fire listed by Alberta Wildfire as being out of control. That fire, in the north-east portion of the Primrose Air Weapons Range, away from any major population centres, and has burned up more than 4,800 hectares of remote rural forest. Across the province, there are 53 active fires burning, most in central and northwestern part of the province. The three largest fires are burning near Edson, Fox Creek and High Prairie. Combined, they have burned more than half a million hectares of land — about half of the the total burn from 500 fires reported so far this year. Alberta Wildfire says it monitors 39 million hectares of land within the Alberta borders.
