BARRHEAD - The County of Barrhead has issued the first fire restriction of the season. On April 14, at 4 p.m., Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) instituted its first fire control, restricting campfires on backcountry or public lands and fires from large burn pits. The order also prohibits using fireworks or exploding targets, suspends existing burn permits, and stops issuing new permits.
Permitted burn fires that are already in progress must be monitored frequently, and proper fire guards permit holders must have adequate equipment to control burning.
Campfires in approved pits, propane or gas-powered appliances, indoor flames from wood stoves, open flame oil devices, and permitted burn barrels and incinerators are still allowed.
BRFS chief Gary Hove said that with the snow gone, it does not take long for the dead vegetation to dry out, causing a substantial risk of wildfires.
"Especially with the wind," he said. "Right now, that is the biggest risk of further drying out dead vegetation, but spreading any fires."
Hove added that recently, the fire department has responded to several wildfires that started by smouldering fires from permitted burns, including those dating back as far as last spring or summer to those caused by such things as a carelessly discarded cigarette or potentially deliberately.
On Friday, April 11, firefighters responded to a wildfire near Range Road 44 and Township Road 603 shortly after 2 p.m.
"It was caused by a holdover fire from a previously permitted burn, and even though the field was muddy, the stubble is dry, and it burns," he said, adding the fire was upwards of 60 acres in size.
On Saturday, April 12, BRFS responded to two more wildfires; the first one was near Range Road 40 and Township Road 582, roughly 1.6 kilometres south of Highway 654 West and was caused by what Hove believes, due to the location of the fire, to have likely been started by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
"It started in the ditch and quickly spread to the field," he said, adding the fire was roughly 30 acres in size.
The other fire was near the Lac Ste. Anne County border.
However, Hove noted that not all the calls that firefighters responded to on the weekend of April 12 and 13 were wildfires.
One of the calls on April 12 was a report of a structural fire at one of the buildings, a Pembina Pipelines property near the Lac Ste. Anne border.
"They had an electrical fire in one of their buildings," he said.
Hove noted some confusion by the Pembina Pipelines regarding whether they were in the County of Barrhead or Lac Ste. Anne County, BRFS requested the assistance of the Lac Ste. Anne fire departement.
"Just to make sure it got covered," he said.
In the end, Hove said, Pembina Hills Pipelines staff were able to put out the fire, with the fire department confirming it was truly extinguished with no hot spots remaining that could reignite.
The other fire was a report of an outside near the high school on April 12.
"Somebody had dumped their cigarette butt in one of the garbage cans, and it caught on fire," Hove said, adding a group of children playing at the nearby playground reported the fire. "They went and got help. Someone came out with a fire extinguisher and put it out before we got there. We thanked the kids and gave them some well-deserved, crisp high-fives. The kids were very proud that they were able to help out their community."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
