Westlock County was under a fire restriction until a province-wide fire ban was issued on Thursday, May 5 as hot and dry conditions continue to act as a breeding ground for wildfires.
County fire chief John Biro said the department has been kept busy since the wildfire season began in late April responding to more than four different blazes this month.
“It’s been quite regular, steady,” Biro said. “Holdover fires are our main concern right now.”
Holdover fires, or ground fires, start over the winter and burn without smoke or flame, usually due to improperly extinguished controlled burns in the fall. After spring thaw, they can ignite during wildfire season.
Biro said the county is urging residents to ensure their fall burn sites are properly extinguished.
“There was a public notice sent out advising residents to go back out and check their winter sites with a probe,” he said.
“We highly recommend people continue to check their piles.”
The fire chief said this season, in terms of weather conditions and call volumes, is fairly similar to last fire season.
“We started early of course, we started in April, we’re just stating to get into the worst time of the year, which is May,” Biro said.
“Things are relatively the same.”
Several suspicious fires have also caught the attention of the department and Biro is asking residents to report any irregular activity to police.
“Keep an eye out for any suspicious activities in the county. If there’s something happening, report it to the authorities immediately by dialing 911,” he said.
“Typically people are taking precautions and if they don’t, and we get called, there definitely will be consequences such as fines.”
During the provincial fire ban all open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes are prohibited, as is the use of incendiary targets.
Biro said residents should be careful of any hot objects around grassy areas including exhaust tips from cars and ATVs.
“Anything and the wind won’t stop which creates a higher hazard for us and fire risk. The fire will travel quickly with the wind conditions,” he said.
“Be mindful of hot objects in grassy areas.”
The Town of Westlock fire chief Stuart Koflick said no new permits will be issued for open burning or fireworks — the town issued its own fire ban May 6.
“Just be very cognizant of the fact that you rub two sticks together and you might have a quick fire,” Koflick said.
“Be very, very careful. It just takes a careless moment for lives to change. Please follow all directions and all orders whether it be town or county.”
