(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Grass fire season

Dry conditions leading to increased grass fire risk

Apr 25, 2025 | 12:03 PM

The Melfort Fire Department wants people to be safe during spring fire season.

Spring weather is finally here, but most areas are still quite dry despite the higher snowpack in the winter.

Fire Chief Leonard Whitney told northeastNOW the conditions around Melfort aren’t as dry as some other areas, but with the wind and warmer temperatures that could change quickly.

“I know surrounding areas have had some grass fires already,” said Whitney. “We haven’t seen anything in Melfort yet, but we’re expecting if the weather keeps the way it is, that we will start to see that in the next week or so.”

There have been several grass fires of note recently, including in the RM of Nipawin and RM of Buckland near Prince Albert. Several regions have fire bans or restrictions in place due to the dry conditions.

Infrastructure work

Infrastructure work getting underway on Kingston Street in Melfort

10h ago

Safe driving during seeding

Local fire departments urge highway safety as farmers gear up for seeding

11h ago

Wildfires

Evacuations ordered as four homes burn in uncontained wildfire on James Smith Cree Nation

May 04, 2025

Whitney said it doesn’t take much to light a grass fire in the spring. A carelessly discarded cigarette or even a vehicle’s hot exhaust pipe can spark a blaze.

Grass fires can be tricky to fight for several reasons. Whitney said when the grass or other materials are dry it burns quickly, and spring windy conditions can lead to a fast-moving fire.

“Sometimes it’s just tough to get in front of them to slow them down,” Whitney explained. He said shifting wind conditions can also make the fire more dangerous to fight.

People can do their part to prevent grass fires from starting. Anyone doing a controlled burn on their land must call the provincial controlled burn number. Whitney said it’s also important to have good fire breaks if you’re burning in fields or elsewhere. Anyone with a fire pit in those areas should also have a cover for it and a water source nearby.

–

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com