After the last two winters, many people in southern Alberta are enjoying the moderate temperatures over the past few weeks. Despite the many days that had wind warnings in place throughout the region, most people have not been complaining about not having to bundle up warm or having to shovel sidewalks and motorists are certainly happy with not having to navigate on icy roads with poor visibility, conditions that hampered travel over the two previous winters.
The drier the normal conditions have been taking their toll, however, as numerous grass fires erupted throughout the region last week. While none were attributed to human actions thus far, the fires were a good indication of just how dry things are out there and how quickly a fire can spread when the wind is blowing. Unusual for January, yes, but not completely uncalled for.
The recent fires showed us that caution and common sense are vital if one plans to start a controlled fire, whether it is a small fire in a burning barrel or one to get rid of those weeds and tumbleweeds that the wind blew in. It would take just one ember to fly out of a burning barrel to spark a fire when the foliage in the surrounding area is as tinder dry as it has been lately.
Careless actions can have costly consequences. Loss of property, livestock, pets, or loved ones would not be worth the risk.
Also, when a grass fire spreads, it spreads fast when the wind is blowing and if the wind shifts, so will the fire, which puts the safety of the volunteer firefighters at risk, as well. A grass fire in rural Alberta will bring out firefighters from multiple departments who come out to lend a hand in extinguishing the blaze. They put their life and limb at risk for the safety of others. When a fire is blazing down a coulee, they are going in there and trying to put it out.
There is also the cost to the municipality to consider, as well. Somebody has to pay for those pumper trucks, equipment, and volunteer firefighters to come in from other jurisdictions to help out. Depending on how large the fire and the equipment needed, those costs can be extremely high.
Luckily, there has not yet been any fires this winter that have been caused by human action. People have been using common sense and haven't been igniting that garbage in the burning barrels.
Those tumbleweeds can sit in the yard a while longer. Sooner or later, the snow will come, the winds will diminish and the conditions will be more suitable for sparking a controlled fire. Until that time arrives, caution and common sense are key.