Alberta government releases new fire ban app ahead of long weekend

If you're thinking of heading out into the great outdoorsfor the May long weekend but don't know the fire risk, there isnow an app for that.

The provincialgovernmentreleased a new fire ban mobileapp on Tuesday. TheAlberta Fire Bans appallows people to see where current fire bans are in the province and what restrictions and advisories are in place so they can plan camping trips and outdoor activities accordingly.

"I'm really excited about this app. Instead of people wonderingwhat numbertheyshould phone, should they phone the county, town or the province, now everything is one app," said OneilCarlier, minister of agriculture and forestry.

"We're looking at some very dry conditions right now coming up to the long weekend so this is another tool that people can carry around on their smartphone to make sure they're not that person that starts that wildfire."

The app will helppeople learn about the currentfire risk, amdprovidethem with the latest information on where a camp fire or burn is or isn't allowed.

"There is unfortunately a large number of humancaused wildfires," added Carlier.

The dry weather so far in May has resulted in some fire bans in the province..

Since March 1, there have been 274 wildfires, according to the Alberta government.

Of those fires, 99 per cent were human-caused and entirely preventable, said experts.

As of May 15, there were 88 fire bans and fire advisories in effect across the Alberta.