A fire advisory has been issued for the Town of Okotoks.
Okotoks Fire Services put the advisory in place on April 20 due to dry conditions and no expectation of substantial rainfall.
“We’re seeing so many wild grassfires in the region, we determined it was prudent to issue a fire advisory until further notice,” said Okotoks deputy fire chief Dwight Seymour.
The fire hazard rating has increased or continues to increase, he said, putting dry grasses and woodlands at risk.
Seymour said new fire permits will not be issued, due to the advisory. Existing fire permits will remain valid but may be revoked or amended depending on conditions. Backyard fire pits and campfires that fall within the Town’s guidelines are still permitted.
Fire pits must be made of non-combustible containers and should be two metres from any combustible structure with a spark-resistant grate cover. Only clean wood should be burned. Fires must be attended, and an extinguishing fluid must be on-hand at all times.
Seymour said it’s rare for the Town of Okotoks to issue a fire advisory.
“We haven’t issued any fire control very often – last year there was a ban for the smoke,” said Seymour. “But usually we don’t have as long of a stretch of dry tinder weather here.”
A full fire ban has been in effect in the MD of Foothills since March 11.
