Jason Linton, Cypress County Emergency Services Coordinator, says personal fires are allowed but in safe settings / Photo: CHAT News Today

By Meghan Cobb

Fire restriction means personal fires allowed but no open burns

Jul 11, 2022 | 3:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A fire restriction remains in place in Cypress County despite the amount of rain the area has received over the past month.

The restriction was put in place in March because of warm, dry and windy conditions that, along with cured vegetation, can cause extreme fire behaviour.

Under the restriction, no open fires are allowed and all fire permits were cancelled. Fires for personal use and cooking are allowed, but Jason Linton, Emergency Services Coordinate with Cypress County, says there are ways to make sure the fire stays safe.

“Make sure it’s nice and green around where you’re having a fire and you’re not close to any kind of structures,” says Linton. “It’s always good to ensure you have a water source available to you to put the fire out.”

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Campgrounds have clear rules about when and were fires are allowed. That information will be provided to guests at check-in and is monitored by the campsites. While Elkwater Campground is located in Cypress county, it falls under provincial jurisdiction and has its own set of rules.

Linton says regardless of what fire rules are in place, the biggest cause for a fire spreading is wind. Wind dries out the ground more than heat does and can blow sparks into high risk areas.

“The number one cause of fires is once the fires is done, you think it’s out but it’s not,” Linton says. “The wind picks it up and starts a fire.”

In the event a burn gets out of control, personal safety should be the first priority according to Linton.

“Get out and call 911 as fast as you can and then warn anyone else,” Linton advises. “Tyr to stay up hill from the wind and smoke. Even though it’s a naturally burning fire, there’s still a lot of toxins and health effects when it comes to a naturally burning grass fire.”

More information on the current status of fire bans in the province can be found here.