Firefighters were called to douse a grass fire in Strathcona Park Tuesday night shortly after 11 p.m. The fire remained contained to an area surrounded by either road or trail, leaving about an acre of land burned.--NEWS PHOTO SCOTT SCHMIDT
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Tuesday night shortly after 11 p.m. firefighters were called to douse a grass fire in Strathcona Park before it was able to spread further into the surrounding natural area.
Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services is reminding residents that fireworks are prohibited within city limits and are asking park goers to properly discard cigarette butts, “never on the ground or in dry grass.”
Although there is no current fire ban within the City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County Fire Service announced a ban in effect starting Wednesday.
Recreational fire pits can still be used if they meet bylaw requirements, however fireworks, burning barrels, recreational campfires, solid fuel barbecues, incinerators and chimeneas are not allowed until the ban is removed.
As of June 2 the County of Newell remains under a fire restriction, meaning approved gas or propane cooking appliances, portable propane and recreational fire pits are permitted, as well as burning wood pellets in fully continued smokers.
However, “family style fireworks,” exploding targets, during barrels, charcoal briquettes, sky lanterns and incinerators are not allowed.
At the time of publication the province is reporting 57 active wildfires, and the Saskatchewan government reporting 16.
On Thursday evening Environment Canada put out a special air quality statement within Medicine Hat warning of the increased health risks of outdoor activities during increased wildfire smoke levels.
Local air quality levels reached a high of seven out of 10, or high-risk, Thursday morning then dropped back to a six, or moderate risk, by 5 p.m.
Due to the decreased air quality the Medicine Hat Public School Division cancelled all outdoor activities Wednesday to protect wellbeing of staff and students.
Air quality in the city was expected to improve further by this morning.
