Okotoks residents are able to rekindle their backyard fire pits.
The Town of Okotoks downgraded its fire ban to a fire restriction on Aug. 17.
“We were looking at the conditions daily,” said deputy fire chief Pat MacIsaac. “It had changed enough now we felt we could give people the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the summer in a safe manner as long as they’re following the fire bylaw.”
He said the fire ban was initially put in place due to hot dry conditions, low water levels in the river and the town’s reservoirs, and the potential to have to send crews to assist with fires in B.C.
If conditions change, the fire ban may have to be put back on, though he said the Town doesn’t anticipate having to do so.
Under the fire restriction, approved residential fire pits and campground campfires are permitted. Gas and propane stoves and barbecues and portable propane fire pits are allowed, as well as charcoal briquette and solid fuel barbecues.
No new burning permits will be issued, and torches or lanterns with open flames are prohibited.
In addition, all burning barrels in the newly-annexed lands in the Okotoks area are prohibited.
Okotoks fire services reminds residents to use caution when using outdoor open flames, including barbecues and fire pits, and to dispose of smoking materials in a safe manner.
“As always we expect people exercise caution, and if they’re following our fire bylaw then they’ll be using residential fire pits and the campfires in a safe manner,” said MacIsaac.
He said the water level concerns have been mitigated by the public adhering to a water ban that was put in place at the same time as the fire ban.
Residents have been able to use outdoor water on a restricted basis since Aug. 8, with odd-numbered houses being permitted to water on Tuesdays and even-numbered homes on Thursdays only.
Chris Radford, Okotoks infrastructure and operations director, said the Town is still monitoring water levels to determine whether the restrictions can be lifted.
“It’s improved significantly,” said Radford. “On our first full Tuesday watering day (Aug. 15) we were around 9,400 cubic metres (being used), in comparison to between 14,500 and 15,500 cubic metres on our watering days in July.”
He said the Town will be meeting with EPCOR within the next week to see how well water levels in the river and aquifer are holding up with lower demand. If EPCOR expresses confidence in water levels, the Town may be able to remove its restrictions, he said.
“Based on shorter days, cooler temperatures, in all likelihood we should be able to turn back in the next week or two, I would hope,” said Radford.
