LAC LA BICHE - Bright orange signs notifying motorists to slow down due to smoke from nearby brush fires can be seen on roads throughout the Lac La Biche region.
Following a summer of dry weather that brought with it frequent fire restrictions and bans, farmers and agricultural producers in the area are taking advantage of current wet and snowy conditions to burn brush piles in their fields and to clear land.
While permits for burning are not mandatory in Lac La Biche County between Oct. 31 and March 31, local fire officials recommend that folks contact them before setting out to burn piles of brush.
Calling first, says John Kokotilo, the regional fire chief for Lac La Biche County, prevents firefighters from responding to controlled burns and having to do unwarranted smoke investigations.
“We want people to inform us because we still get reports of smoke, reports of fire, and unnecessarily a lot of times we go out and it is a controlled winter burn and of course our resources are being used for that and it’s not necessary,” Kokotilo told Lakeland This Week.
Although most agricultural producers and residents contact Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Services to notify them that they will be burning their brush piles, Kokotilo would like to see more people taking the time to do so.
“There are a lot of people that call and we’re really appreciative of it,” he said.
Caution needed
Even though the region is out of the permitting system as of Oct. 31, Kokotilo reminds those who do burn that they are still responsible for keeping their fires under control.
Now that there is a firm snowpack on the ground, Kokotilo said that it is safe for burning to take place. With the amount of snow that has accumulated on the ground, he explained, there is very little chance of a fire getting away.
“This is the opportune time to burn,” he stated.
According to information from Lac La Biche County, burning on a lot under five acres is not permitted. Furthermore, fire and fire byproducts such as smoke must not be allowed to inhibit adjacent traffic or property.
The on-call Lac La Biche County Fire Services line is 780-623-7979.
