LAC LA BICHE - The fire restriction that had been in place for Lac La Biche County’s permitting area over the past few weeks has been lifted.
“Safe fires are allowed . . . permits will be issued as assessed by the fire guardians,” explained Lac La Biche County Regional Fire Chief John Kokotilo, clarifying that the issuing of permits will be done on a case-by-case basis.
“It’s not a free for all.”
Fire guardians are municipal officers who go out and check properties where controlled burns are being done, including brush burning and fields. These officials, he added, are part of Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Services as well as enforcement services.
“The fire guardian has to issue you a permit,” he explained.
While there are currently no fire restrictions in the municipality, residents are urged to take precautions when enjoying a campfire or doing any burning. Failure to keep a fire in control could land a person in trouble.
“With any fire that you intentionally light, whether it be a campfire, or whether you’re getting a permit and burning your brush pile or whatever, you’re still responsible for that fire,” Kokotilo explained. “If that fire gets away from you, and let’s say, we have to respond, and we find that it was negligent on your part, you could be charged.”
While the Lac La Biche region hasn’t received quite enough rain, according to Kokotilo, rainy and wet conditions that are forecasted for the area over the next couple of days were enough to allow officials to remove the fire restriction.
Humidity in the air, Kokotilo said, is currently very high.
“That really is helping us, and it has allowed us to make that decision,” he stated.
Despite the fire restriction being lifted, concerns remain about wildfires in the area.
According to the Government of Alberta there are two wildfires burning in the Lac La Biche Forest area that are classified as being held, and 15 classified as being under control.
The change in weather, according to the regional fire chief, has allowed firefighters and forestry officials to get a handle on the fires.
Kokotilo made it very clear that a return to hotter, drier temperatures in coming weeks could result in the return of restrictions.
“Things can change,” he said.
