High wildfire risk in Lethbridge as crews prepare for wildfire season

Despite the much-needed moisture in the forecast, the risk of wildfire in southern Alberta remains high.

As spring temperatures arrive, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is reminding residents that the wildfire risk in the city remains high.

“Right now, going into spring here we still have a lot of dry grass out there,” said Neil Jesse, LFES fire prevention officer.

“It is greening up a little bit and we’re expecting to get a little bit of rain here in the next little bit,” Jesse added. “However that doesn’t really change the (fire) risk because in southern Alberta the wind will dry it out really, really fast.”

Jesse says early spring is one of the highest-risk times for wildfires in the area, as dry vegetation can ignite quickly.

“One small fire can spread very rapidly,” he said.

“We have a lot of dry days here and lots of wind so it can crawl up a hill very fast so just being cautious for everybody here is going to go a long way.”

This week, LFES crews are conducting wildland fire training to strengthen response capabilities and ensure operational readiness.

“Fire season is all-year round, it just depends on the dryness of the year and so right now is probably our biggest time,” said Lt. Jason Schrage, lead of LFES’ wildland fire team.

“Where we would deploy our wildland pumps in our trucks and string a line in the event we had a wildfire. We have unique pumps. They’re what the forestry uses in their wildfire forestry setting. We have adopted them into the wildland, grassland setting, as well. They’re high-pressure pumps, deployed over about 5,000 feet, and they deliver 100 PSI of water in a one-inch line.

“So (they are) very versatile, (and) very user friendly.”

Schrage added that this type of design prevents crews from having to cut their way into dry lands and wetlands, an added risk of getting trucks and equipment stuck.

Even with forecasted rain or snow, wildfire risk can remain high. Schrage says fine fuels can dry quickly, especially in windy conditions.

“Our fires are different because their coming very fast,” he said.

“In southern Alberta, all of our fires are typically wind-driven and so they’re coming across very quickly and what we have to struggle to do is get ahead of that before it gets to our urban inner face.”

As a result, LFES fire prevention office is remaining residents to be fire smart around their properties, especially those living near the coulees and natural grasslands.

“Keeping your property clear of dry materials and being mindful of ignition sources can help stop fires before they start,” explained Jesse.

“Clearing any debris and foliage -- this is a good time of year that people are cleaning up their yards and get all the waste out of their as far as leaves, dead sticks and trim up your foliage around your house can reduce the risk.”

As conditions continue to dry out, Jesse says everyone needs to be cautious.

He added that discarded smoking materials remain the leading cause of grassfires in the city’s natural areas, with crews already responding to two significant fires this year.

“If you see smoke, call 9-1-1 right away,” he said.