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
Trump returns to his campaign facing a warning of jail time if he violates a trial gag order
Donald Trump on Wednesday will use a one-day break from his hush money trial to rally voters in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan, a day after he was held in contempt of court and threatened with jail time for violating a gag order.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
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.
Swarm of bees delays Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles game in Arizona. An 'MVP' beekeeper came to the rescue
Major League Baseball fans had an unexpected buzz on Tuesday after a swarm of bees delayed the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game for around two hours.
Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget
Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
A 98-year-old in Ukraine walked miles to safety from Russians, with slippers and a cane
A 98-year-old woman in Ukraine who escaped Russian-occupied territory by walking almost 10 kilometres (six miles) alone, wearing a pair of slippers and supported by a cane has been reunited with her family days after they were separated while fleeing to safety.
It's opening day for the $34B Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion
Wednesday marks the official start date of the long-awaited $34-billion Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.
Will an 'out of sight, out of mind' cellphone policy make a difference in Ontario schools?
Ontario’s cellphone ban in schools has been met with mixed reaction, with some teachers concerned about constant policing of kids and experts applauding the change as necessary for student learning.