For the second time in just over a month, Rocky View County has declared a Level 2 fire ban, effective March 13.
“The conditions are extremely dry,” said Rocky View Fire Services Deputy Chief Garth Rabel. “If we get any fires with a wind like this, especially in our open lands, they will run quickly. There is no reason to allow outside fires… we would be literally playing with fire.”
The ability for grassfires to quickly spread was proved March 12, when a blaze was accidently ignited in a field near Balzac, raising alarm due to its close proximity to local residences.
Although no serious damage was done, Rabel said a fence and hay bales located in the fire’s path were burned.
“We were lucky to avoid any real damage,” said Rabel, adding that crews from Rocky View County Fire Services responded to the fire first, with backup from the Crossfield and Chestermere departments.
The fire was extinguished in about two-and-a-half hours, said Rabel.
Several residents joined the fight armed with shovels and garden hoses, he added.
Rable said Rocky View had been closely watching the weather to see if a ban should be declared.
“All the conditions are just right to implement a ban,” said Rabel.
“Let’s not be careless, let’s be responsible as citizens and hopefully we will get through this.”
Two more fires located northeast and southeast of Airdrie on March 16 further emphasized the need for the fire ban.
According to Rabel, the ban will likely be in place until the region receives a good, soaking rain or snow.
A Level 2 fire ban represents a severe fire risk for the County and the current dry conditions can cause hay fields, crops, grass and brush to ignite easily and fires to spread very quickly.
The ban includes incinerators, burning barrels, charcoal briquette barbecues, recreational campfires or chimineas. Camp stoves, propane and natural gas barbecues and fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas are allowed.
