Fire officials are once again reminding people to take extra caution as conditions continue to be extremely dry, and wind speeds are expected to pick up today, and into Thursday.
“Fire departments are out every day,” according to Dennis Bergheim, fire guardian director with the County of St. Paul. Although there has been no change with the current fire restriction in place, with no open burning allowed, and no new fire permits being issued, Bergheim says the area could end up going into a total fire ban if dry conditions continue.
“It’s something I hope we do not have to go to,” he added.
A dangerous example of just how quickly fires can spread was seen in the St. Lina area early Wednesday morning, when Ashmont Fire responded to a call of a fire near a yard.
The fire happened along Hwy 867, and started in a ditch, but spread to a nearby field due to high winds, according to Ashmont Fire Chief James Preston. Mallaig fire assisted in dousing the flames.
A “possible discarded cigarette was probable cause,” said Preston, adding, local landowners and homeowners in the area helped contain the fire also.
“Conditions are extremely dry, fires can spread rapidly when wind speeds and temperatures are high, and humidity is low,” says Preston. He urges everyone to “please take extra caution when doing anything that could potentially cause a fire to start, including using care when discarding cigarette butts.”
Municipalities to the south, including the Lloydminster, Vermilion and Vegreville areas, do have fire bans in place. The County of Two Hills, County of St. Paul and MD of Bonnnyville all have fire restrictions in place, while a number of other areas have fire advisories in place.