With Southern Alberta drying up in the heat and no rain in the foreseeable future the Provincial Government has decided the fire risk is too high to allow people to use the forest protection area south of Chain Lakes to the U.S. border.

As of Sept. 4th traffic is not allowed on forestry roads along Highway 22, south of Highway 532.

Local residents will require a permit to travel in the area.

Debbie Jo Webster has closed her Chimney Rock Bed and Breakfast business because the risk of people starting a fire in the area is too great.

She spent the morning on Thursday contacting guests who had made bookings offering them links to alternative places to stay.

"If you don't have business on the road, you shouldn't be on the road," she said.

The extreme measure is also a safety measure so local governments can be aware of who is in the area and where in case an emergency situation like an out-of-control wildfire gets going.

"When we can see pasture lands that dries and crinkle when it is walked on, our creek dropping from levels to where it almost disappears, natural springs that have reduced flowing or quit flowing, we are concerned about this."

Webster added it is an unsettling surreal environment they are in.

"As a rural resident you become acclimatized to the peaks and valleys of our weather changes. We understand and we know we have to adapt to any radical changes. This has been a severe radical change."

Highway 532 is approximately one kilometer north of Chain Lakes and approximately 25 kilometers south of Longview, Alberta on Highway 22.

Highway 22 and Highway 3 are completely open for all traffic.

Limited access may be granted by permit at the following locations:

Calgary Fire Centre - 8660 Bearspaw Dam Rd. NW, Calgary, AB

Chain Lakes Provincial Park Administrative Building - Twp. Rd. 144A, Highway 22, Longview, AB

Blairmore Ranger Station - 11901 19 Ave., Blairmore, AB

Pincher Creek Emergency Services - 655 Charlotte St., Pincher Creek, AB

For more updates check at emergency alert.

Or wild fire information check here