County suspends burning permits due to dry conditions
By Collin Gallant on April 24, 2018.
Medicine Hat News Cypress County has suspended burning permits until hot, dry conditions improve, and won’t issue any new ones unless they are inspected by local fire officials, it was announced Monday. That comes at a time when much of southern Alberta is grappling with overland flooding. The County of Forty Mile, Newell, and the municipal district of Taber have all issued warnings as crews work to limit damage from a quick spring thaw of an accumulated snow pack. However, in Cypress County, where officials reported relatively light flooding, they are stressing that hot wind has left tinder-dry grass even, though the soil underneath may be saturated. The restriction do not affect the operation of barbecues, burning barrels, campfires or farm incinerators, but officials say such devices should never be left unattended. To the north, Special Areas No. 2 and the MD of Acadia Valley each issued fire advisories on April 20, asking residents to use extra caution when performing controlled burns. As of Monday afternoon, there were no current fire restrictions in Saskatchewan. 8-7
