Rain over the last couple of days has brought some much needed relief to the dry conditions in southern Alberta, but it won't take a lot of sun and hot temperatures bring the fire risk back up.

High River RCMP and local fire departments are reminding residents dry conditions have resulted in an increased fire risk.

On Saturday, May 12, a High River RCMP officer was patrolling south of town when he noticed a grass fire burning near Highway 540 and 40 Street East.  

The Cayley Fire Department with help from residents safely extinguished the fire which they say was likely started by a cigarette butt flicked out of a passing car.

Right now there are no fire bans in High River, however all fires must be contained in a fire pit that is compliant with the Town of High River fire bylaw.

While the MD of Foothills has no fire bans or advisories, their risk is still at a moderate to high level for fires.

Firefighter Cody Zebedee with the MD of Foothills Fire Department is urging residents and visitors to the MD to use extreme caution with open fires.

“Please ensure smoking materials are properly extinguished and disposed of in a safe manner," Zebedee said.

The public is also reminded that when conditions fires can start with minimal effort.

Flicking a cigarette butt onto dry ground can easily cause a fire to ignite and disposing a cigarette out a vehicle window is an offence with a fine associated.

For more information on current fire bans or advisories, visit the MD of Foothills website, albertafirebans.ca or call 403-603-3571.

 

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