Lethbridge fire officials are reminding residents of a city-wide fire ban after a large grass fire in the Alexander Wilderness Park on Tuesday.
Investigators confirmed Wednesday morning the cause was a campfire that was not properly extinguished.
The fire broke out at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Seventeen emergency services personnel from four stations responded to contain the spread of the fire.
Flames reached as high as six to nine metres, according to officials.
If it weren’t for the direction of the wind, the fire could have been far more devastating.
“The wind played in our favour and was taking the fire towards the river, which we were able to jump on it and get it under control,” Platoon Chief Rob Chollak said. “If we got a wind change, we could have easily had it come into the city.”
Tuesday’s fire broke out amid dangerously dry conditions throughout Lethbridge and southern Alberta where fire bans remain in place.
Officials said even the exhaust from one of their firetrucks lit some grass on fire while attending the call.
Residents are reminded there is a city-wide fire ban in place do to extremely dry conditions.
The ban is in effect for all open fires within the City of Lethbridge, including campfires and backyard firepits.