The recent warm temperatures have prompted the Estevan Fire Rescue Service to issue a fire ban for three local rural municipalities.

Deputy chief Dale Feser said the department has placed a full ban on fires for the RMs of Cambria, Benson and Estevan.

There is also a ban on open fires for the City of Estevan. Residents can still have a fire in an approved pit however.

“We monitor a website from the government and it’s been extremely dry for the last week and there is no foreseeable moisture coming,” he said. “The current rate of fire spread is 26 plus metres a minute and that doesn’t even take into consideration wind. With wind you can almost probably double that.”

Feser said the department checks into the government site throughout the day and when conditions improve they will lift the ban.

He added that although fires in approved devices are still allowed in the city, residents should exercise extreme caution.