Wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area continues to be moderate heading into the September long weekend.

That’s according to Alberta Wildfire, which first issued the moderate danger rating at the end of August.

Parts of the forest area have benefited from recent precipitation; however, officials say other areas are seeing grass and other small vegetation begin to dry out as the season progresses, making them more susceptible to wildfire.

Conditions can vary across the area, and officials are reminding everyone spending time outdoors to recreate responsibly and do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires.

No fire bans

Heading into the long weekend, the West Country remains free of fire bans.

There are currently no restrictions in Clearwater County, the town of Rocky Mountain House or the Rocky Mountain House Forest Protection Area.

Check current conditions on the Alberta Fire Bans website.

September long weekend

As Albertans enjoy the last long weekend of summer, there are several ways you can help prevent human-caused wildfires:

• Keep campfires small, safe and under control. Never leave a fire unattended. Before you leave your site or turn in for the night, soak your campfire with water, stir the ashes and soak it again until it is cool to the touch.
• Campfire rules vary by location, including in areas managed by Alberta Parks and Parks Canada. Before travelling, check Fire Bans in Alberta Parks and Alberta Fire Bans for your destination to confirm whether campfires are permitted and whether any additional restrictions are in place.
• If operating off-highway vehicles, stop often to check for and remove grass or other debris that can build up around your machine’s exhaust and hot spots. Carry firefighting tools such as a shovel, pail and extinguisher.