Last year’s dry grass is slowly being supplanted by new green growth, but the dry conditions are ripe for burning, warned Stettler Regional Fire department’s deputy chief, Etienne Brugman.
The County of Stettler has stopped issuing burning permits until conditions improve, though the County of Paintearth has put a burning ban in place.
If the dry conditions persist and grow worse, it’s something Stettler may do, too, Brugman said – though he agreed conditions are currently nowhere near that point.
Last week the department responded to its fifth fire in two weeks, another grass fire caused when sparks escaped a burning bin. The fire department was at that fire for two hours.
“We’re just waiting for new growth,” Brugman said about the permit ban. “Big piles (of burning debris) can last for hours. People think they’re out, but all it takes is a good wind (to fan the coals into flame).”
Previously issued fire permits can be used, and residents can continue to use fire barrels so long as they’re properly screened to prevent the escape of sparks.
In Paintearth, residents aren’t allowed to use burning barrels until the fire ban is lifted, explained county CAO Tarolyn Peach. The ban was put in place after she had a discussion with the three fire department chiefs that serve the county – Halkirk, Castor and Coronation.
“We’ve had several fires in the past two weeks,” Peach said. She confirmed that the fires had all been grass fires.
People who had acquired burning permits from the towns or county will have to wait until the ban is lifted before they can be used, Peach explained, adding that people with permits should contact the originating town or county to get an extension on the permit deadline.
People who violate the fire ban will be subject to a stiff financial penalty, Peach said, though she couldn’t recall anyone violating the ban for the five years the bylaw has been in place.
Anyone with questions about the fire ban in Paintearth can contact the county office.