Crews battle large grass fire near Calgary’s TELUS Spark Science Centre

Calgary fire crews had to work against the wind and dry conditions in city’s northeast Thursday to put out a fast moving grass fire.

Fire officials tell CityNews multiple calls were made to 911 around 8 a.m. reporting the blaze.

The size of the fire spread across an area larger than a soccer field.

No one was hurt and no buildings were damaged, according to public information officer Carol Henke.

CFD reports as of 9 a.m. the blaze is considered under control.

Henke says the fire likely started as a result of an open flame in the dry brush.

“It does look like the fire originated near where perhaps an encampment and some camping supplies were. So, an open flame most likely started this fire and due to the wind and the temperature right now, it moved fairly quickly,” she said. “This is an important reminder to all Calgarians that it’s really dry right now; those tall grasses are super dry, any sort of spark or open can ignite a fire and with the windy conditions that we experience here in Calgary, that can travel very, very quickly and threaten people’s homes.”

Tips to prevent grass fires

CFD says the number one cause of outdoor accidental fires is the improper disposal of smoking materials.

Calgarians are reminded to never put out cigarettes or smoking materials in flower planters, peat moss, lawns or gardens, instead using a deep, wide, sturdy metal container with a lid, filled part way with sand or water.

Smokers can also make sure butts and ash are out by soaking them with water before disposing.

Extreme caution should also be used in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where extremely dry vegetation covering the ground provides readily combustible fuel if an ignition source is applied, the fire department says.

Safety rules for fire pits

• Backyard fire pits should be built into the ground, on brick or stone, or in a fire-proof container. Portable fire pits may be used on a deck as long as they sit on brick or stone and not directly on the wood.
• Fire pits must be at least two metres away from your property line, house, garage or fence.
• Fire pits must not be under any trees, branches, plants or other materials that can catch fire.
• All fires in your fire pit must be kept to a reasonable size; 1 metre high and wide. A mesh screen or ‘spark guard’ is required in order to reduce the spread of embers and sparks from wood-burning fire pits. The openings in the mesh screen must not be greater than 1.24 cm across.
• Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
  • Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
  • Wood from a different location, region or province
  • Wet or green/fresh cut wood
  • Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
  • Garbage
  • Rubber or plastic
  • Furniture
• Always have a way to put out the fire close to your fire pit. Keep a watering hose or a bucket of water nearby.
• All fires in your fire pit must be continually supervised.
• No Person shall ignite or allow an outdoor fire to burn on a premises:
  • between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday; or
  • between 1:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

To report an unattended fire, such as when the residents have been away from the fire pit for an extended period of time, call 311.

To report an out-of-control fire that is spreading outside of the fire pit, call 911.

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