A burn ban has been issued for the R.M. of Dufferin amid ongoing warm, dry and windy conditions this spring.

As a result, all open-air burning within the Municipality is banned with the exception of outdoor fire pits, according to a notice sent to PembinaValleyOnline.

The notice indicated that all outdoor fire pits must be constructed and used for recreational purposes only, providing that the fire pit must be fully contained within heavy gauge steel, concrete or cinder blocks, the walls of the fire pit must extend above grade level by a minimum of eight (8) inches; the fire pit must be located a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any buildings and a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from any property line; and when in use, the fire pit must be attended by a responsible adult person until the fire has been fully extinguished. No person shall burn anything in a fire pit other than solid fuel products. Without limiting the generality of that prohibition, no person may burn garbage, recyclables, household waste, lawn clippings, leaves, or any other compostable material in a fire pit.

The ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.