Kick off summer safely this May long weekend

Plan ahead, be prepared and minimize your impact

Thousands of Albertans will visit Alberta’s beautiful outdoors this May long weekend. By planning ahead, thinking about safety and taking simple steps to protect the environment, Albertans can help make the traditional kick-off to summer enjoyable for all.

Public information and enforcement activities will be stepped up to encourage responsible use of roads, public lands and parks. Together with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers from the Government of Alberta will conduct check stops and off-highway vehicle compliance checks and inform the public about safe recreation practices, laws and regulations.

Albertans who are planning to spend the weekend camping at one of the province’s provincial parks are encouraged to reserve a campsite in advance at www.Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca. While many campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis, spots do fill up quickly. Campers can also check which parks have liquor or fire bans in place by visiting www.albertaparks.ca.

Whether they plan to visit a provincial park or explore the backcountry, Albertans should take precautions to avoid wildfires. Typically, about 60 per cent of wildfires are caused by people. Before heading out this long weekend, check for fire bans at www.albertafirebans.ca.

The risk of wildfires increases with dry conditions. Always check to make sure your campfire is completely extinguished. Soak it, stir the ashes, and soak it again.

Off-highway vehicle users can reduce the risk of wildfires by removing burnable debris from hot spots on their machines. All off-highway vehicles in Alberta are required to have a functional muffler and spark arresters.

Wet weather, either rain or snow, can also contribute to problems on the landscape. Off-highway vehicle users should avoid wet areas completely. These vehicles can cause damage to the land and fisheries and also impact water quality.

To help outdoor enthusiasts prepare for a safe and responsible trip, an Outdoor Recreation Checklist is available at www.srd.alberta.ca/RecreationPublicUse/CampingOutdoorRecreation.