‘It’s extreme’: Fire ban issued for Lethbridge’s river valley

The warm temperatures and dry wind have elevated the fire risk in Lethbridge’s river valley, prompting a fire ban to be issued.

“The high winds of the last week have just dried out the river valley so much, our numbers are through the roof – our numbers for our fuel load and the initial spread index are both at extreme,” said Troy Hicks, chief fire marshal with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES).

The fire ban is in place on all open fires within the City of Lethbridge’s river bottom.

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Hicks is asking residents to use extra caution when disposing of smoking materials.

“The risk is very high and when we get the spread index as high as it is, that one little spark can continue to go extreme fast,” he said.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), there is no precipitation in the forecast over the next 14 days. However, Hicks says there is still a chance the fire rating can drop.

“I’m hoping that if we have a regular fall, we don’t get snow too early, but just with the overnight frost and maybe humidity go up a bit, maybe it will lower the numbers,” Hicks explained.

The added moisture would prove beneficial now and into the new year, according to experts.

“The amount of precipitation we get now before the ground freezes certainly will play a role in next year’s season,” said Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with ECCC.

Friday marks the end of the wildfire season in Alberta.

Since March 1, crews have extinguished 1,213 fires, while 29 remain active.

Roughly 680,000 hectares of land were burned across the province, which is below recent yearly averages.

“Although it’s typically not wildfire season at this time of year, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t stuff that could burn,” Hasell said.

Lethbridge has had its fair share of grassfires this spring and summer, although Hicks says none have caused any significant damage or injuries.

“It is one of those things that happens and, in my opinion, if we get one large fire down there, that’s one too many for the year so we just want to make sure that we keep everybody aware of the risk that is down there,” said Hicks.