Given the warm, dry and oft times windy winter we have experienced in Southern Alberta this year it’s a wonder we’re not under a constant fire ban.
Just in the month of January alone the Cardston County had to issue a fire ban twice due to dry conditions.
These bans may be inconvenient for residents who want to take advantage of the warm weather and get a jump on their spring yard clean-up but if a ban can prevent yet another wild fire in the region then it’s done its job.
Anyone who undertakes to ignite a controlled burn does so with the understanding they have a responsibility to not only monitor that fire but to not light it in the first place if conditions are not advantageous to a safe burn.
This is Southern Alberta, anyone who has lived here for more than five minutes knows just how windy it can get and how quickly a light breeze can become full force blow. Wind gusts are the norm in this region and no one should be lighting fires if there is even a hint of windy conditions.
Babysitting a controlled burn is not anyone’s idea of a good time but we’re talking about fire- it’s destructive power is enormous.
Anyone who starts a controlled burn needs to consider the responsibility carefully- it is nothing to shrug off. Be informed. Using the excuse I didn't know there was a fire ban in place is akin to telling a police officer you didn't know what the posted speed limit was. It's your responsibility as a driver to know- to educate yourself. If you plan to burn it's your responsibility to ensure there is no ban in place.
A quick check of your municipal website, a call to the municipal office or even a call to your local fire station will get you that information. If you're not sure error on the side of caution and don't burn
If a controlled burn get out of control and starts yet another wild fire in the region it will sound pretty lame, especially if homes or even lives are lost, to say "I didn't know there was a fire ban in place."
You should know and if you don't, don't burn.
The old adage: "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission," won't fly if you've just burned your neighbour’s house to the ground. All of the wild fires that swept through Southern Alberta this winter were ignited by someone being either careless or not taking the right steps to ensure a controlled burn didn’t become uncontrolled.
They have to live with the fact the caused thousands upon thousands of dollars in damages and costs related to fighting the fires.
In some cases they were also responsible for the lose of homes and out-buildings. We can only be grateful no lives were lost, yet.
Every time a wild fire threatens our region both the people living in its path and the firefighters and other emergency responders that head out to fight are at risk. While it take the loss of life before responsible burning is taken seriously by everyone? Let's hope not.
It's simply too high a price to pay. When in doubt, don't light it up.