Provincewide fire ban in place ahead of weekend
Outdoor fires on or near forest land not permitted
A provincewide ban on outdoor fires on or within 300 metres of forest land was put in place Friday afternoon.
Campfires are not permitted under the ban, but the use of gas, kerosene, alcohol propane or charcoal-burning units is allowed at least 3.5 metres away from any wooded area, according to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
A news release from the department issued on Friday recommends that off-road vehicle operators should use a "proper screening or baffling device" to prevent sparks from escaping, and to carry a fire extinguisher with a minimum of 225 grams of ABC-class dry chemical when travelling in grassy or wooded areas.
Most areas of the province are at a high to extreme risk of wildfire on Newfoundland and Labrador's fire hazard map.
Dry vegetation can increase the likelihood of wildfires burning.
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