Firefighters say they were able to quickly contain a July 4 grass fire in Ross Glen before it could spread and cause damage, and are reminding residents that fireworks are illegal to discharge within city limits.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services has released a public safety message reminding city drivers to pull over when they see or hear a firetruck, police cruiser or ambulance blaring sirens and flashing emergency lights.
The safety message was released Tuesday after firefighters reported experiencing confusion from motorists who were unsure what to do as they responded to two recent major vehicle collisions.
In an effort to educate local drivers, the Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services social media pages posted an educational short video explaining how drivers should respond if an emergency vehicle with sirens and lights is approaching you.
“We’ve had a couple major incidents in our community and we’ve also seen a bit of confusion on the roads with traffic,” explains Kelli Ireland, fire and life safety educator, in the video.
The video continues with a short animated tutorial teaching motorists proper driving techniques to ensure emergency vehicles can safely and quickly pass at an intersection or multiple lane roadway.
Additionally, motorists are reminded to use turning lights while pulling over and only resume to normal traffic after all emergency vehicles have passed.
Illegal fireworks
Firefighters say they were able to quickly contain a grass fire that sparked in Ross Glen due to illegal fireworks set off on July 4.
Firefighters have released an image of a large burned area of grass along a hillside and are reminding residents that grassfires can rapidly spread under current hot and dry conditions.
Within city limits it is illegal to possess, handle or discharge fireworks and firecrackers without a valid permit, and fines can range from $250 up to $10,000.
Dry conditions continue to pose a serious fire risk in the region as Cypress Country, County of Newell, County of Forty Mile, Lethbridge County and the M.D of Taber, as well as Medicine Hat, Brooks, Lethbridge remain under an extreme fire danger rating.
The rating is the most severe according to the provincial fire danger rating index, warning that conditions pose a serious risk for fast-spreading, high-intensity fires that can be difficult to control.
