The Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley lifted their fire bans over the weekend after rain and snow fell in the area near the end of the week.
“We are pretty comfortable with the moisture we’ve had in our communities that we can take it off no problem,” said Black Diamond fire chief Jamie Campbell.
Both communities joined the MD of Foothills and issued fire bans in their communities on May 4, prohibiting residents from using fire pits and certain barbecues. The MD has left its fire ban in effect.
“We want to be responsive both ways, responsive when it’s dry and letting people know and responsive when we have moisture so we are not sitting there with a burn ban on and people are wondering what’s wrong with us,” he said.
Level II watering restrictions implemented by both Towns on May 6 will remain in effect. This means residents are limited to outdoor water use on Thursdays and Sundays for houses with addresses ending in an odd number and Wednesdays and Saturdays for those ending in an even number.
People can only water their lawns from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The restriction applies to watering lawns, washing vehicles, siding and driveways, filling hot tubs and recreational water toys.
With several fires raging in the Fort McMurray area earlier this month, Turner Valley fire chief Glenn Baxter said it was important not to stretch the firefighting resources in the Foothills.
“There is a certain amount of resources that are no longer available to all of us,” he said in an earlier interview. “The air support units are very busy with the fires up north so if we have something here there is less resources available to assist down here. Certainly a lot of departments in the province are all in the same situation right now as far as fire hazard.”
While many Alberta communities began lifting their fire bans following the cooler temperatures and precipitation last week, Campbell said the ban remains in the MD of Foothills.
“In Black Diamond it’s mostly back fire pits and the campground we have to worry about,” he said, adding there is a bigger risk in the MD. “We don’t have burn barrels that we have to worry about compared to the MD.”
The province-wide fire ban also remains in place, prohibiting fires in provincial parks, recreation areas, municipal districts and counties.
