Fire bans established in SW Saskatchewan
By Medicine Hat News on July 27, 2019.
New fire bans are being put in place in southwest Saskatchewan as dry conditions return in the region east of Medicine Hat.The town and RM of Maple Creek moved on Thursday to ban all open fires in the area due to high fire risk.
It joins the rural municipalities of Big Stick, Enterprise, and Fox Valley, as well as the village of Stewart Valley in officially restricting burning.
Provincial officials consider the fire risk to be extreme in most areas south of a line from Fox Valley to Moose Jaw.
In southeast Alberta, Cypress County has restricted fires and held back permits since early May. Earlier this month, the County of Forty Mile upgraded its standing to a fire restriction, meaning all fires outside of barbecues, approved barrels and recreational campfires were not permitted.
The County of Newell is now under a fire advisory as well as of July 22. Crop report
First cut hay yields are significantly below average in crop reporting regions in southwest Saskatchewan and a second cut is unlikely, according to that province’s crop report,
Extremely dry early season conditions have pushed down tons per acre figures for alfalfa (0.9 tons), brome (1.4), tame hay (1.0), wild hay (1.2) and greenfield (1.8).
The Alberta Crop report does not release a report in late July. The next is scheduled for release on Aug. 2.
Major crops on two-thirds of the acres across the region are considered at a normal stage of development. With some crops as much as one to two weeks behind, producers are now hoping for extended warm weather into the autumn. 3
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