Severe fire risk has prompted a level two fire ban for Rocky View.
Dry conditions throughout the County contributed to at least two major grass blazes and authorities are urging people to take care when handling fire.
"We're a windy area and the snow that we've had has been slowly disappearing," said Judy Unsworth, station fire chief for 56 Station with Rocky View Fire Services.
"It's very, very dry. So we need to be very cautious."
Effective at 3 p.m. on March 17, all outstanding burning permits were suspended until further notice.
"As we all know, dry spring conditions can cause hay fields, crops, grass, and brush to ignite easily and fires to spread very quickly," said Rocky View Fire Chief Wayne Brown. "In the interests of fire prevention, all outstanding burning permits have been suspended until the current dry conditions dissipate."
This ban includes: * Incinerators (for farm and acreage use) * Regulated burning barrels * Solid fuel barbeques (charcoal briqettes) * Recreational campfires (approved burn pit 24" in diameter or less) * Chimeneas The exemptions to this fire ban are as follows: * Internal household fireplaces * Camp stoves * Liquid fuel barbeques (propane and natural gas) * Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas For further information, please contact Deputy Fire Chief Steve Bagley at 403-520-8167.
