By Charles Lefebvre

Grass fire risk high in Cypress County

Apr 24, 2018 | 3:51 PM

DUNMORE, AB — A trio of grass fires in different areas of the county has prompted Cypress County’s latest fire restriction.

Kelly Meyer, fire chief for the county, says crews were called to fires near Seven Persons, Ralston and near Elkwater over the weekend as a result of high winds and downed power lines.

“After seeing that on Saturday, and how the fuel reacted, we went into a fire restriction Monday morning,” he said on Tuesday.

Meyer says high winds, warm temperatures and growth left behind from last year has raised the risk of a grass fire spreading in the county, necessitating the restriction.

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Under the current restriction, existing fire permits are cancelled.

However, the county is allowing an exemption for farmers and ranchers who are able to prove a burn is necessary for their livelihoods. An example Meyer provided was a hemp farm in the county, which needs to perform a controlled burn to burn off straw before planting.

“Myself and my deputy, we’ve been going around and doing inspections and issuing statements on a need basis,” he said. “Once these permits are issued, we have really strict rules. Fireguards have to be put in place, water trucks have to be there, and they’re responsible.”

Meyer says two of those permits have been issued by the county.

Residents are being reminded to take precautions as the weather gets warmer, including paying attention to burning barrels, not throwing cigarettes out of car windows, making sure safety chains are not dragging on the road, and letting power equipment cool down when being used.