This time last year, the snow had largely all melted by now and the conditions were already all but bone dry.
So fire season might be rather far away from everyone’s minds as we continue to cope with the cold and snow, although relief is in sight.
But officials recently announced that the 2018 fire season started on March 1.
This means permits are required for any burning, outside of supervised campfires, in the Forest Protection Area, west of Rge. Rd. 60. Residents who live east of that range road in Mountain View County must also obtain a permit from that municipality, and can do so by calling the office at 403-335-3311, or by visiting www.mountainviewcounty.com, clicking on "Fire Permits Online” and then following the prompts.
"It’s free,” said Sundre fire Chief Marty Butts about obtaining a fire permit, explaining that the process goes a long way towards reducing nuisance calls so when concerned residents or passing motorists report sighting smoke, responders will already be aware of the situation and not end up rushing out to deploy a unit to a controlled burn.
Additionally, an official press release issued by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry said the start of the wildfire season is a great time to check on any burning people might have done over the winter months.
"Often, winter burns can smoulder under snow and resurface once the snow has melted as a wildfire. It’s important to make sure your fires are completely extinguished.”
Visit firepermits.alberta.ca, call 310-0000, or contact your local Agriculture and Forestry office to get a free permit. Residents in this region can reach the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area’s office at 403-845-8272. Additionally, to report a wildfire, call 310-3473 (FIRE).
Volunteer firefighters take time away from their full-time jobs to respond when someone reports a fire. And when they rush off to investigate what turns out to be a controlled burn, that ties up resources that could legitimately be needed elsewhere.
No one needs on his or her conscience the knowledge that firefighters were needlessly dispatched to respond to a controlled burn when the responders were actually needed somewhere else, but due to the delay did not make it in time to save a life or home.
So we urge anyone who plans a controlled burn to ensure permits have been obtained first.
— Ducatel is the Round Up’s editor
