Fire Services in Cochrane and Rocky View County announced a Level III fire ban, effective as of May 7.
This restricts all permit burning in the area and suspends outstanding burning permits.
“Grasses are so dried out from the winter, and combined with the spring winds and the dust — it’s the perfect conditions for grass fires,” said Mac deBeaudrap, emergency services chief and senior manager of protective services in Cochrane.
Fire crews from Cochrane and Rocky View County have been busy combatting a slew of grass and brush fires, travelling to Bearspaw, Airdrie and the Tsuu T’ina First Nation.
Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) responded to a call on the Tsuu T’ina First Nation May 4, and brought two grass fire trucks — called bush buggies — and a water tanker to assist crews from Tsuu T’ina Nation and Calgary in extinguishing the large grass fire.
RMES fire chief Rob Evans, urged residents of Redwood Meadows, Bragg Creek and the surrounding area to be careful when dealing with fire and heat while conditions are so dry.
“Almost all grass and brush fires are human error — but that doesn’t mean the fire is someone’s fault,” said Evans.
Evans recommended residents be especially careful when operating all-terrain vehicles such as quads. Often, he said, these vehicles get parked in long, dry grass and the heat from the exhaust pipe could be enough to create a spark.
“Until there is a substantial amount of moisture in the form of steady rain or drizzle, fire crews at RMES will be on a heightened state of alert for grass and brush fires,” said Evans in a recent media release
In Cochrane, deBeaudrap said he’s keeping an eye on the conditions and the risk of fire.
A Level III fire ban is the most extreme of the bans and includes the restriction of:
• Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
• Regulated burning barrels
• Camp Stoves
• Charcoal and other solid fuel barbecues
• Recreational camp fires
• Chimeneas
• Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas
Exempt from the fire ban are:
• Internal household fireplaces
• Liquid fuel barbecues
In Rocky View County, oil well flaring must register with central fire dispatch.
