Grassfires still a risk in Lethbridge and region despite recent rainfalls
It doesn't take long after heavy rainfall for the Lethbridge region to dry out.
A stretch of hot, dry days can easily raise the risk of grassfires.
"In southern Alberta, we have the high, dry winds and they dry out stuff real quick, even with this moisture that we just got," said Byron Fraser, Lethbridge County’s manager of fire services.
"You know, in a couple of days, it could be a whole different ball game again."
Grassfires in southern Alberta can cause significant damage.
Lethbridge County has already dealt with a few grassfires this year, some starting as early as April.
There are no fire bans in the city or county at the moment, but residents are asked to still use caution.
The county is urging residents to take proper precautions throughout the summer to keep the risk at a minimum.
"People need to really be aware of what they're doing with their fire and have what you can there to mitigate it but just use common sense and be smart," Fraser told CTV News.
Grassfires are also a concern within the city, especially at the river bottom due to the close proximity of trees and shrubs.
Lethbridge fire officials say it's a very popular area for residents and all it takes is a cigarette butt or an improperly watched fire to start a blaze.
"People like to enjoy the trails and, you know, some of them have cigarettes, which is totally fine but it's just the disposal of the cigarette butts that we're worried about," said Neil Jesse, fire prevention officer.
"We are also seeing the odd fire pit that's not in a registered fire pit that's down there, so we discourage that as well."
Grassfires are also a concern within the city, especially at the river bottom due to the close proximity of trees and shrubs.
When dry conditions hit, it's more than the river valley that's at risk.
"Anything that is dry can be a risk with people around it," said Jesse.
"A field sitting on its own has a very small risk but as soon as you add people into it, that's where the risk comes into effect."
There are no fire bans in the city or county at the moment, but residents are asked to still use caution.
To learn more about potential fire bans in the area, you can visit the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County websites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
London Drugs stores remain closed, 'cybersecurity incident' may have breached personal data
London Drugs says it is working with third-party security experts as the company tries to reopen dozens of stores across Western Canada that were shuttered by a cybersecurity incident Sunday.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.