Numerous fire advisories and bans have recently been implemented. Photo by Stephen Strand
Warm weather is not the only thing that accompanies springtime each year.
Along with the warm, dry weather that accompanies springtime, springtime also heralds fire restrictions and bans.
On April 15, the County of Paintearth northeast of Calgary issued a Fire Restriction.
At this time, there will be no fire permits being issued by the County.
On April 27, Vulcan County issued a Fire Advisory.
As a result, fire permits may be restricted, but safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and backcountry areas, as well as random camping areas.
On April 29, the City of Lethbridge issued a Fire Ban for all open fires in the City’s River Valley.
That’s due to the current conditions, which include warmer temperatures and low humidity.
These conditions have created a high risk for uncontrolled fires to occur, as a small spark can quickly spread throughout dry grass and brush.
As a result, residents and visitors to Lethbridge are being asked to use extra caution, and do not light any open fires and make sure all smoking materials are fully extinguished and disposed of safely.
Also on April 29, a Fire Advisory was implemented for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.
Under this advisory, existing fire permits are still valid, but extensions may not be granted, and no new permits for heavy burning will be issued.
Meanwhile, new fire permits will only be issued for essential burning, and applications for new permits will be assessed on a case-to-case basis.
With this Fire Advisory, burning without a permit (except for campfires) is prohibited.
Those who live in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area and conducted burning over the winter months are being encouraged to revisit the burn site to ensure fires are extinguished and cold to the touch.
A Fire Restriction was implemented for the Summer Village of Burnstick Lake on April 29.
This is due to the high risk of wildfires occurring, causing burning activities to be limited to prevent new fires starting.
As a result, burn notifications with CRFRS are cancelled, and no new ones will be issued.
On top of that, burning of brush, yard debris, burn barrels, and wood campfires on public land are currently prohibited.
Wood campfires in backyard fire pits or in designated campgrounds are allowed, and so are wood burning appliances, such as barbeques and smokers, charcoal and wood burning appliances that are CSA approved or UL certified, and propane, natural gas, and electric appliances.
The Town of Rocky Mountain House is also under a Fire Advisory, effective April 29, because the dry vegetation mixed with warm temperatures and gusty winds have created conditions that will help wildfires to spread.
Due to this Fire Advisory , existing fire permits are valid, but extension requests could not be granted, and permit holders must follow all safe burning conditions that are outlined on the fire permit.
While new fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy fuel burning, such as machine-piled brush piles, new fire permits will be issued for essential burning on a case-by-case basis.
Other than campfires, any burning without a fire permit is prohibited.
Just like in other locations, those in the Town of Rocky Mountain House who conducted burning over the winter months are being encouraged to visit the burn sites and ensure the fires are fully extinguished and cold to the touch.
On April 30, Clearwater County issued a Fire Restriction for the non-Forest Protection Area in the county.
That’s due to the risk of wildfire being high.
As a result, burning activities are limited to prevent new fires from starting.
At this time, burn notifications with CRFRS are cancelled and no new ones will be issued.
Also, burning of brush, yard debris, burn barrels, and wood campfires on public land are not allowed.
What is allowed, though, in Clearwater County are safe wood campfires in backyard fire pits on private land, wood burning appliances, charcoal and wood burning appliances that are CSA approved or UL certified, and propane, natural ga, and electric appliances.
For those in Clearwater County, it is being advised to revisit burn locations to ensure they are fully extinguished and cold to the touch, because the grass is dry and can easily ignite from still smoldering burn locations.
Rocky View County had a Fire Advisory implemented on April 30, due to the current conditions.
This is due to a moderate fire risk of the area.
At this time, fire permits will not be issued for any fires, any existing permits are suspended, and the public is being asked to remain vigilant when burning under what the restrictions allow.
Under this Fire Advisory, all burning and fireworks permits are suspended, and burning is banned with a few exceptions.
Indoor household fireplaces, incinerators for farm and acreage use, burning barrels, camp stoves, barbeques, wood pellet grills, propane and natural gas fire puts, recreational campfires in an approved burn pit, chimeneas, fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas, and oil well flaring is still allowed.
Before lighting up a fire, check to see if a fire advisory or ban are in effect.
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