Fire risk high across southeast Alberta

By Medicine Hat News on August 13, 2022.

“Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to practice fire safety and to be aware of our actions and how they could impact or result in a fire,” fire prevention officer Carter Gramlich told the News. “But especially now as we know things are really dried up and we’ve had a lot of hot weather, so there’s certainly a higher risk for grass fires.”

Gramlich encourages residents to take extra caution when conducting activities which could spark a fire, such as smoking or holding a campfire, and refrain from other hazardous activities, like setting off fireworks.

“For smoking, whether you live in the city or you’re driving around, making sure you’re (using) a proper cigarette receptacle. That’s super important,” said Gramlich. “For fire pits, like backyard fire pits, we have regulations in Medicine Hat which allow people to have them under specific conditions, which includes getting a permit and making sure you have a suitable device in a proper location. And part of the conditions of the permit is to make sure you have a water supply nearby so if your fire ever gets out of hand, or when you’re shutting it down for the night, you’re making sure it’s properly extinguished.

“Fireworks are never allowed in Medicine Hat; you’re never allowed to shoot them off. We know there was a recent grass fire in Medicine Hat which was suspected to be caused by people shooting off fireworks.”

Gramlich’s recommendations were geared to city residents but can apply to individuals in rural communities as well.

“A lot of our fires are, typically, started due to smokers and cigarette butts along the Trans-Canada, and some of our major secondary highways,” Jason Linton, Cypress County emergency services co-ordinator said. “And then after that, it has to do with agricultural mowers and swathers just doing what they want to do and sparks.”

Linton recommends rural residents, or those who work in rural environments, also ensure any potential fire hazards properly disposed of and take preventative precautions, like having water on-hand.

“For people on their operations, I would encourage water trucks, and having adequate water resources around when you’re doing your agricultural operations at this time,’ Linton said. “Things can kindle and light up pretty fast.”

Linton also reminds the public that no fires are allowed in Cypress County while the fire ban is in place.

For updates and information about regional fire-risk, Linton recommends checking acis.alberta.ca or cypress.ab.ca.

High temperatures and little rainfall has fire personnel in southeast Alberta on high alert, as the risk of fire increases.

Cypress County Fire Emergency Services enacted a fire ban Wednesday, stating there is an “extreme fire hazard due to lack of precipitation, hot and dry conditions and resource management.”

While Medicine Hat’s Fire and Emergency Services have not yet implemented a fire ban – as is not commonly done within the city – officials within the organization say they are continuing to monitor ground conditions and encouraging all residents to follow fire safety and prevention practices.

14
-13