SASKATOON – The long-awaited warm weather is finally here, and many people are breathing a sigh of relief. But for fire fighters across the province, the hard work has just begun.
“We’re going to be hitting a period here of about a month before we really start to green up and all the old dead grass is going to be sitting around. So if somebody throws a butt into a ditch, the ditch could catch quite easily,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bill Coffin with Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services.
He explained activities like burning debris in an incinerator must be monitored at all times.
Get breaking National news
“If they leave it unattended, a little bit of wind can get that going and we’re in a mad rush again.”
Fortunately, he said there is still some moisture in the undergrowth in brush and grasslands. But Collins explained all it takes is a warm, windy day, and things dry out very quickly.
“It’s very unpredictable and then fire too creates its own wind.”
He said spring is always a busy time for Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services, and firefighters begin preparing for the season in January.
“We’re getting all our trucks ready, like our 4×4’s, putting the slip tanks in, getting our brush trucks all tuned and ready to go, the tankers have been checked out.”
Lyle Karasiuk with Parkland Ambulance said smoke caused by local fires can also be harmful to those with asthma or respiratory conditions.
“It’s going to make it that much harder for them to breathe,” he said.
“It just means that for those people just doing simple things like going for a walk, getting outside to enjoy some sunshine, or doing normal activities.”
Fire officials say simple actions like disposing of cigarette butts responsibly, and monitoring campfires and barbeques can make all the difference.
Comments