Article content

Edmontonians with firepits got good news and bad news going into the long weekend. The bad news — it’s raining. The good news — as a result, the fire ban has been lifted.

“EFRS has lifted the fire ban,” Edmonton Fire Chief Ken Block tweeted Friday morning.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Edmonton fire ban lifted as rain and colder temperatures move in Back to video

The fire ban took effect earlier in the month alongside a provincewide ban as hot, dry conditions led to numerous wildfires across the province.

The provincial ban was amended May 13, easing up in the southern part of Alberta.

Edmonton’s ban had some fire crews working overtime as calls about backyard firepits — some of them propane-fuelled and therefore legal — increased.

South of the city, however, the fire ban remains.

“We realize much-needed precipitation continues to fall; however, it is too early to determine if this precipitation is sufficient to allow open burning in Leduc County,” Leduc County fire Chief Darrell Fleming said in a release Friday.

“Recent events in our province have shown how unpredictable fire can be, and we will not risk the safety of people and properties in Leduc County.”

The release goes on to say the ban will remain for the rest of the long weekend throughout the county.

Environment Canada has forecast rain through the weekend, partially breaking up on Monday with sunny conditions beginning Tuesday.

Updates on the local fire ban can be found on the city’s website. And information about provincial bans can be found online as well.

dlazzarino@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/SUNDaveLazz