Fire danger growing as dry, windy conditions persist

“It’s very dry out there and stuff starts pretty easily,” Whitney explained.

Oddly, he said they’ve also had to dodge multiple water holes during some of those calls due to the heavy snowpack in the northeast this past winter.

Human-caused fires are especially frustrating, he said, especially when lit cigarettes are carelessly discarded.

Whitney said some of those human-caused fires are accidental.

“We see that lots where exhaust pipes going through tall grass will light the grass on fire, and then it doesn’t take long for that to spread and possibly get out of control,” Whitney said.

Sometimes controlled burns get out of hand, and Whitney said anyone planning to do burning in areas without fire bans should call the Provincial Control Burn Centre prior to lighting the fire. Whitney said people should also check the forecast and perhaps delay burning if the wind is expected to be strong.

Areas currently under a fire ban include:

City of Melfort
Village of Denare Beach
RM of Kelvington
RM of Bjorkdale
RM of Flett’s Springs
RM of Nipawin
RM of Arborfield
RM of Kinistino
RM of Tisdale
Resort Village of Tobin Lake

The Town of Arborfield has issued a fire advisory. They are recommending against burning in the municipality, though fires are currently not banned.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Fire danger growing as dry, windy conditions persist

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