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2010 fire season gets underway April 1
Theresa Seraphim
for Spotlight
Sustainable Resource Development staff are gearing up for the start of this year’s fire season on April 1.
“Spring is coming fast and fire season is coming even faster,” comments SRD public information officer Leah Lovequist.
She says moisture conditions are much the same around her entire area, which includes Slave Lake, High Prairie and McLennan, as well as Wabasca and Chipewyan Lake.
With less snow having fallen this winter, the dry grass now being exposed is extremely flammable, and is likely to ignite if there is a hot, dry, windy day, says Lovequist.
On top of that, sometimes a fire burned in the wintertime will smoulder in the spring (called a holdover fire).
“We’re encouraging those who have burned over the winter to go back to the burn site,” says Lovequist. While there, they need to ensure that the fire is entirely out by pouring water on the ashes and mixing them up.
Lovequist says while it’s hard to predict how this season will play out, it will be a hard one.
“We’re facing some really, really drought conditions – we need that spring rain,” she stresses.
Lovequist also reminds people that for any burning, apart from campfires, a permit is needed. There is no cost, and all it means is a quick trip to the SRD office.
“In a day or two, we will get out to the site,” and notify the permit holder of the burning requirements, says Lovequist.
As a fire gets going, there are several important things to remember, says Lovequist.
“Have water on hand (and) always, always supervise your burns – never leave (a fire) unattended.”
Anyone spotting an out-of-control fire should call 310-FIRE immediately, says Lovequist, adding people are good about notifying SRD staff.
“We appreciate the public – they call in a lot of fires.”
Last year, the public helped report 234 wildfires, which consumed 7,895.22 hectares. That figure includes the seven wildfires which have occurred between March 9 and 15 of this year. Of those, which consumed 79.65 hectares, three were human caused and four are still under investigation; six are under control and one has been extinguished.
More information can be obtained by calling the SRD office in Slave Lake (780-849-7400), High Prairie (780-523-6619) or Wabasca (780-891-3860).
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SRD public information officer Leah Lovequist reminds those wanting or needing to burn material to obtain a permit first.
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Those who have burned in the summer should ensure that fire is completely out, so it doesn’t smoulder and flare up again, as this fire is doing.
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