Fourteen provincial parks are closed this long weekend as much of Alberta grapples with multiple wildfires coupled with hot, dry conditions.
Across the province, 188 fire bans are also in effect at parks.
The following provincial parks (PP) and provincial recreation areas (PRA) are closed:
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Aylmer PRA
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Crescent Falls PRA
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Elk Creek Fish Pond PRA
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Elk Creek PRA
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Elk River PRA
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Fallen Timber South PRA
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Highwood Compound PRA
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Peace River PRA
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Peppers Lake PRA
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Peppers Lake Staging PRA
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Pines PRA
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Ram Falls PP
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Red Deer River PRA
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Wolf Creek PRA
The Burstall Pass day use area is also closed due to wildfire. There are also various road closures in effect near and around parks affected by wildfire.
According to Alberta Parks’ website, the parks are closed because of wildfires burning north of Ram Falls Provincial Park and Crescent Falls PRA, which, as of Saturday morning, are classified as out of control.
Dale Marshall, president of the Friends of the Eastern Slopes Association — an organization that runs several campgrounds on behalf of Alberta Parks — told CBC News that it’s likely the parks will stay closed for the foreseeable future.