A Level II Fire Ban, representing a severe fire risk, has been declared for Rocky View County.
Effective Feb. 6 at 2 p.m., the move, which suspends all outstanding burning permits until further notice, was made due to dry, windy conditions in the municipality.
“It is extremely dry, we really haven’t had an appreciable amount of moisture this winter and what we have had has evaporated due to the warm weather,” said Ken McMullen, Rocky View County fire services chief.
“We ask residents and visitors to be observant of the fire ban, ensuring the safety for all in Rocky View County.”
According to Rocky View County, a Level II fire ban represents a severe fire risk 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, regulated burning barrels, charcoal briquettes, recreational campfires of 24 inches or less and chimneys.
Exemptions to the ban include indoor fireplaces, camp stoves, propane and natural gas barbecues, fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas.
According to McMullen, Sustainability Resource Development (SRD), the Provincial department in charge of forests, is concerned about the risk of forest fire in the region.
To mitigate that risk, SRD representatives have asked the County to keep a fire engine on call until the risk decreases, he added.
The fire ban will be in effect until further notice. For more information, contact McMullen at 403-478-8164.
