Grass fire season flares up
Posted Mar 30, 2010 7:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The tinder-dry conditions combined with strong winds Monday, whipped up several grass fires in and around Calgary.
One blaze came dangerously close to a residential area east of Calgary by Glenmore Trail and 84 Street.
Crews also battled another small fire at Highway 22X near Deerfoot Trail southeast.
The Calgary Fire Department’s Jeff Budai tells 660News, Calgarians need to be aware of dry conditions not just today, but throughout the season. He adds that people need to be cautious of where they dispose of their cigarette butts.
Meanwhile, Chestermere firefighters battled a large grass fire east of the city, near the community of Conrich for a couple hours Monday afternoon. The flames were creeping toward some homes. The district fire chief tells 660News gusty wind did make their jobs tough.
The Calgary Fire Department is warning people to use extreme caution because of the dry grass and strong winds. A burning ban is in effect right now in the Rocky View County.
Fire officials aren’t the only ones concerned about dry soil conditions. Farmers in Southern Alberta are preparing for a possible drought this year.
There is no significant moisture on the horizon. 660News Meteorologist David Spence says that farmers are looking at a number of factors right now including the lack of snowfall on the ground and a low snowpack in the mountains.
