SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - There were no campfires at Fred Henne Territorial Park over the weekend, but that didn't put a damper on most camping enthusiasts.

Dana Landry, left, Raynie Francis, Kehaya Febril, Ariel Landry, Brittney Kenny and Mia Landry are happy to be roasting marshmallows over the barbecue in celebration of Ariel's 12th birthday at Fred Henne Territorial Park on Sunday. - Heather Lange/NNSL photo

The Yellowknife fire department banned open-air fires, including campfires, but 66 campsites were filled over May 27 and 28, a normal number for this time of year.

There were no reports of campfires being started, according to Fred Henne Territorial Park employee Kate Hillman-Barnes.

Barb Olsen, who camped overnight in her tent, was caught off guard as she was not aware of the fire ban before entering the park.

"It was an unexpected surprise. I had no other way of cooking my food, so I had to go and buy a portable propane stove. Friends don't want to hang out without the fire and it does still get cool at night. It would have been nice to have a fire to keep warm," said Olsen.

Gary Brennan was well-prepared and brought his travel trailer to camp over the weekend, fully stocked with a furnace, propane stove and portable barbecue.

"It was a bit cold at night, but the fire ban is very understandable. Things are very dry," said Brennan. He said his kids barely noticed they couldn't have a fire.

"They find other things to do, it was a good weekend," said Brennan.

Arvin Landry brought out six girls in celebration of his daughter Ariel's 12th birthday. They didn't let the fire ban dampen their spirits either, even with only a tent to sleep in.

"It didn't affect us. We used a barbecue and took off the grill to roast marshmallows. It wasn't cold. According to the weather forecast it was 5 C but it felt more like 10 C. We were pretty much prepared," said Landry.

Campfire songs around the fire were not in the cards for campers this past weekend but campfire songs around the propane glow of a barbecue was close enough to the real thing for most.

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