This release was issued under a previous government.
This action comes in response to the request of the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association and follows the government’s province wide fire ban and ban on incendiary targets on all provincial Crown lands issued May 5.
“Our fire crews are working around the clock to battle wildfires in Fort McMurray and around the province. All Albertans can do their part to help ensure firefighters can focus their resources on the areas of greatest need.”
“We do not take this step lightly; however, we must reduce the potential for more wildfires throughout the province. Quite simply, OHV recreational use under our current conditions has the very real potential to contribute to an already catastrophic wildfire season.”
“We support the government’s decision to temporarily restrict OHV recreational use. As responsible OHV users in this province we want to do our part to prevent wildfires and to reduce the burden on firefighters and emergency personnel.”
The OHV restriction will be in place until further notice. It applies to recreational use on public lands, including designated OHV trails, only. It will not apply to agriculture, public safety or commercial/industrial users who operate OHVs for farming, enforcement or business purposes. The OHV restriction does not apply to the use of an OHV by Indigenous peoples when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.
Wildfire management staff, along with enforcement personnel, including Conservation Officers and Fish and Wildlife Officers, will enforce the temporary OHV recreational restriction immediately. OHVs include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles and amphibious machines.