Or arsonists, according to Stettler Fire Chief Mark Dennis.
The investigation of the two fires, the first on March 19 and the second this past Sunday, April 26, has been turned over to the Stettler RCMP after initial examination of the two structures have indicated clearly that the fire was not accidental.
“I can't really talk about it now that the RCMP is investigating, but these fires were deliberately set,” Stettler Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Dennis said.
He said that he suspects the fires are being set in the very early morning hours, or very late at night. The two buildings – an older building used for storage, and a building undergoing renovations – have not been inhabited when the fires were set, but that doesn't mean the deliberate fires aren't dangerous.
The fire could spread, there could be someone unexpectedly inside, or a firefighter could take injury or even die while trying to douse a deliberately set fire, Dennis said.
With weather conditions so dry right now, all it takes is an errant spark to set the dried winter grass on fire.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to phone the Stettler RCMP at 403-742-3382 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPC (8477).
Fire ban still in effect
Despite the thick layer of rapidly melted snow over the weekend, the fire ban is still in place for town and county.
The briefly present pack of snow melted away when temperatures returned to a more seasonable warm, its moisture sinking quickly into the dry ground.
Until the grass turns well and green, there's a chance that a simple spark can set acres alight, especially with the spring prairie wind, Dennis said.
The fire department has been inundated with calls inquiring if the fire ban has been lifted due to the weekend snow, and while the department appreciates that people are calling instead of assuming, the answer remains no – the fire ban is still in place, and will be for probably another week at the least.
Since putting a ban in place is a lot of work for the fire department – cancelling fire permits and contacting those with permits so they are aware takes up time – it's not something the fire department is ever likely to put on and off easily, Dennis noted.
“I don't know why people are so surprised (by a fire ban),” he said. “It happens every spring while conditions are dry.”
Dennis said that burning permits are a privilege, and a privilege that comes with a substantial amount of responsibility.
“(Fire permit holders) need to be sure the fire is completely out,” Dennis said. “Turn over the embers, make sure they're completely out.”
In the month of April alone, the fire department has responded to eight fires, four of which were brush/grass fires, and four of which were structure fires. Of those structure fires, three were brush/grass fires to begin with, which grew to consume a building.