Fort Smith, N.W.T., puts partial fire ban in place

Fort Smith, N.W.T., has introduced a partial fire ban.

The ban allows fires in approved backyard pits, but all other fires within the municipal boundary aren't permitted.

It also means all previously approved fire permits are cancelled, according to a Facebook post from the town's fire protective services.

The community is one of the first in the N.W.T. to introduce a fire ban this season. The announcement comes on the heels of news that the snowpack in the South Slave was far lower than average this winter and another high-risk fire season is approaching.

The ban began at 1 p.m. on Monday.