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Letter to Editor
ShareRural fire bans remain in region due to lack of moisture
By Brenda Kossowan - Red Deer Advocate
Published: November 21, 2008 8:21 AM
Fire bans remain in effect through some areas of Central Alberta despite rain and snow this week.
Mountain View County on Wednesday lifted a fire ban that had been placed in response to a major grass fire late last week, said Michelle Honeyman, the county’s community services manager.
Honeyman said four fire stations were called to the fire, which broke out in a field about three km north of Didsbury.
The cause of the fire is not known nor did Honeyman have information about the total area of land affected.
Rain and snow on Tuesday significantly reduced the fire hazard in Mountain View County, said Honeyman. There was still a good cover of snow on the ground by Wednesday afternoon, alleviating fears of further problems, she said.
However, the hazard remains significant in Red Deer and Ponoka Counties, said officials from both.
Ponoka County CAO Charlie Cutforth said Tuesday’s rainfall was spotty in his region and did not necessarily reduce the hazard in some areas, where there had already been problems with peat burning underground.
Normally, burning permits are not required for controlled burns, such as stubble clearing, at this time of year, said Cutforth.
This November, the county will keep its ban in place so it can control the areas where burns will be allowed. Burning permits will be issued at the fire guardian’s discretion, he said.
Red Deer County has also continued its fire ban, regardless of improved moisture conditions, said fire services manager Allan Weiss. Winds have now picked up, so there is still some concern, so people will still have to apply for permits to conduct controlled burns, said Weiss.
Red Deer County will probably maintain its fire advisory until there is a good cover of snow on the ground, he said.
Fire bans and advisories have not been issued in areas that had higher moisture levels or received more rain.
