By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Lethbridge County Urges Extra Caution as Wildfire Risk Climbs

May 4, 2016 | 10:52 AM

LETHBRIDGE – As a wildfire devastates Fort McMurray and we continue to see above average temperatures in our part of the province, Lethbridge County is reminding everyone to be extra cautious.

Emergency Services Coordinator Darryl Beaton explained that because of recent cultivation in the county, we don’t have the fuels needed to sustain a major fire, but said that will change as we move into the summer months.

“If people were just paying attention, being conscious of their burning activities, barbecues, fire pits, burning piles, cigarette butts, all of these things are potential ignition sources for large, dangerous fires,” stated Beaton.

He also noted that your first step in the event of a fire should be calling 911 before doing anything else, saying if you think you might need help, you probably do.

“The conditions can be so volatile in southern Alberta, especially when the winds are up, that it only takes a split second for things to get out of control, so do not hesitate, call 911, err on the side of caution.”

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In addition to simply being more cautious, Beaton also discussed a resource to help you reduce the risks, “The FireSmart program is certainly a program that helps individual property owners fire-smart their properties. Reducing fuel loads, cleaning out gutters, all sorts of activities they can do from their own homes to reduce the risk of fire losses on their own properties.”

For more information on fire bans you can visit lethcounty.ca or albertafirebans.ca.