M.D. of Taber fire crews tackle multiple calls over Easter weekend

“Fire permit holders are reminded that all open (including smouldering) fires must have a person in attendance to ensure the fire is under control until it is completely extinguished,” read the post.

SPARKS FLY

On Sunday, April 21, Station 4 teamed with Station 7 to assist Station 5, which covers Vauxhall. According to Station 5, a family was out enjoying Easter Sunday while target shooting.

A spark from the bullet hitting the metal target started a small fire around the target area. Due to the dry conditions in the area, and gusting winds, the fire grew out of control.

The call to 911 came in at around 4:18 p.m.

Three water tenders, nine fire apparatus and 23 fire service members in total, from all three stations listed above, responded to the scene.

Station 5 said a plume of smoke was visible as far away as Barnwell and Grassy Lake.

Dry conditions continue, although forecasts have been calling for rainfall over the next few days.

However, as a precaution, some regions have issued fire advisories, including Vulcan County, the county of Newell and in the MD of Taber.

As a follow-up, Station 5 has sent out a reminder to residents about burning in dry conditions.

“If you are burning in the MD of Taber, one of the rules of Bylaw 1888 and the permit is no burning is permitted when wind gusts are over 20 km/h as per Environment Canada weather reports in your area,” read a statement on the unit’s Facebook page.

Sunday’s fire was listed at 90 acres. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

EASTER MONDAY

On Easter Monday, Station 4 responded to two calls.

The first came in at 3:25 p.m. and was a single-vehicle incident on Range Road 19-0 near Township Road 10-0. Sierra 4-1, Rescue 4-4, Engine 7-3 and the RCMP responded. No injuries were reported.

The second call was an outdoor fire on Township Road 9-5A near Range Road 17-1. Sierra 4-1, Wildland 7-5, Engine 4-2, Wildland 4-6 and Sierra 4-7 all responded.

Station 4 said the flames came about due to a rekindle from a controlled burn that was conducted the day before. It was focused within a large tree within the burned area along the road which collapsed because of internal burning.

Crews extinguished the fire and then proceeded to chop up the tree to ensure it did not spark up again.

Video courtesy Station 4 – M.D. of Taber Regional Fire Service – Taber/Barnwell on Facebook

“High winds like those experienced today (Monday, April 22) along with higher temperature and low humidity conditions can quickly fan to life fires that were thought to be extinguished,” Station 4 said on Facebook.

“When conducting controlled burns please ensure all burned areas are thoroughly extinguished and cold to the touch. If you have recently conducted a controlled burn it might be a good idea to take a quick look to make sure there is no sign of smoke.”

The M.D. of Taber Regional Fire Service is made up of six stations.

Station 1 covers Hays, Station 2 – Grassy Lake, Station 3 – Enchant, Station 4 – MD of Taber, Station 5 – Vauxhall and Station 7 – Barnwell.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRES

According to Alberta Wildfire, there are about seven wildfires burning in northern parts of the province.

Fortunately, all are listed as ‘under control’ on the current fire map, except for one west of Wood Buffalo National Park, which is listed as ‘being held’.

To view the wildfire status map, visit wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/status-map and for more details on items such as fire bans and fire advisories, visit wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status.

by Justin Goulet

M.D. of Taber fire crews tackle multiple calls over Easter weekend

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