Despite receiving a bit of moisture in the last day or so it wasn't enough to eliminate the fire risk. 

Rocky View County Fire Services has issued a Fire Advisory for the county effective immediately. 

An advisory means there is a moderate fire risk due to dry, windy conditions and means, all burning permits are suspended and burning is banned. 

Exceptions to the ban are:

  • Indoor household fireplaces
  • Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
  • Burning barrels
  • Camp stoves
  • Solid fuel barbecues (charcoal briquettes)
  • Propane/natural gas barbecues
  • Propane/natural gas fire pit
  • Recreational campfires (approved burn pit 24” in diameter or less)
  • Chimeneas
  • Fires contained within approved facilities and appliances in designated camping and recreational areas

According to the Canadian Drought Monitor, southern Alberta is experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions. Environmental Canada Meteorologist, Heather Pimiskern echoes that sentiment. "The drought that is currently in place is considered to be moderate to abnormally dry for this time of the year over southern Alberta,"  

Wheatland County is already under a fire ban, which represents an extreme fire risk.

Last Friday, fire crews from Rocky View County were called out to grass fires in Irricana, Balzac, and Chestermere. 

There were also grass fires reported along Deerfoot Trail in Calgary over the weekend. 

Permiskern says there won't be a lot of precipitation in the forecast to relieve the dry conditions. "The precipitation forecast over the next couple of days, into the next couple of weeks doesn't appear to be overly-significant in the stance that it will mitigate the drought that is in place."

The advisory will remain in effect until the high-risk conditions diminish.

For more details on fire restrictions go to the Fire Bans & Advisories webpage. 

 

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