BARRHEAD-Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) has issued a fire restriction order for the town and county.
The restriction, which came into effect on July 5, prohibits the use of large fire pits, whether they are on private, agricultural, or industrial lands, as well as back country open fires, fireworks and exploding targets.
The fire department has also suspended all new fire permits issued for hand and machine-made brush piles, windrows, grass, hay and bales.
BRFS deputy fire chief Ted Amos said they decided to issue the control order after a week of record-breaking temperatures.
He added that the order does not apply to approved backyard and campground fire pits or approved burn barrels, incinerators and propane barbecues and heaters.
When the Barrhead Leader spoke to chief Gary hove on June 30, he said he was not planning to issue a fire restriction order in the hope that the region's temperatures would decline and that they would receive some much-needed precipitation.
And while temperatures have gone down to seasonal averages, temporarily, Amos said the long term forecast does not call for any sizeable amount of rain in the immediate future.
He also urged residents to use extreme caution when driving in grassy areas and to be mindful of debris collecting on exhaust systems and discarding cigarette butts.
Amos said the fire department is also concerned about the water level in the rivers and other bodies in the region.
"The water level is low, low, low. If we have a big fire and that water is not accessible, it could be an issue as it takes additional time and effort to keep coming into town to get it," he said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
