BARRHEAD - The fire hazard in the Barrhead region is increasing despite outward appearances.
That is what Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) chief Gary Hove told the Barrhead Leader a day after a grassfire near Dunstable on April 24.
The fire, which encompassed about an acre-and-a-half, was started by a resident mowing his property.
"He probably struck a rock or something like that, creating a spark," he said, adding they were able to get the fire quickly under control with the help of the resident, who was able to help clear the land with a tractor.
It was the second wildfire BRFS responded to in less than a week.
On Easter Sunday, Barrhead firefighters responded to a wildfire that had spread to three surrounding outbuildings, including a garage with an animal enclosure attached to it.
Because of the size and the number of buildings involved, Hove requested assistance from the Fort Assiniboine Fire Department, which provided a watertender.
"There can be a tendency for people to get compliant because things are greening up, and it is safe to do some burning, but the fire danger is increasing, and I think it is catching some people off guard," Hove said.
He added he believed that a false sense of security caused the second fire.
Hove noted the resident was burning to clear some brush on the property when the wind picked up, and they lost control of the fire.
The resident did not have a fire permit and received a ticket for violating the Prevention and Control of Fires Bylaw.
At the time, the County of Barrhead was still under a fire restriction, implemented on April 14, in which the municipality cancelled all existing burn permits and paused issuing new ones, restricting all campfires on backcountry or public lands and fires from large burn pits.
The fire control order also prohibits using fireworks or exploding targets. 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.
Nor does Hove believe the ban will be lifted anytime soon as there is no precipitation of subsequence in the forecast, with highs breaking 20 Celsius.
"People need to be cautious out there when they are doing their spring yard cleanup, cutting their grasses and have something ready, like a garden hose, a pail of water with a cold towel should a fire break out," he said. "And don't hesitate to call us because the sooner we get there, the sooner we can put it out."
Structure fire
BRFS also responded to a structure fire on 51 St Avenue on April 24 shortly after midnight.
"The homeowner [of one of the units of a duplex] woke up to booms or popping sounds and went outside and saw fire coming out of his garage door," Hove said.
He added he was the first one on the scene, and when he arrived, the fire had just expanded into the attic and broken through one of the side windows of the garage.
"When the rest of the members arrived [14 in total], the fire was well into the attic [of one of the garages and had begun to spread to the attic of the second garage], and they started hammering it and were able to get it under control quickly," Hove said.
He added that both garages suffered damage, while damage to the living quarters of the duplex was limited mainly to one side.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Hove said the fire originated in the one garage, and it is suspected that the cause was likely electrical.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
