After a summer of heat and little moisture, the Airdrie Fire Department has placed the city under an immediate fire ban.

Airdrie Deputy Fire Chief Ken Hubbard says the city has been actively monitoring the high temperatures and dry conditions which have continued throughout the summer.  "In the next 10 to 12 days, we're looking at more dry conditions and no rain and that puts us in a very extreme condition and we're taking extra precautions given the extra activities that may be happening in the next few weeks, especially in our agricutural community to help people be more safe and prohibiting some of those risks in our area."

According to the city, the following items are prohibited under the ban:

  • Incinerators (for farm and acreage use)
  • Regulated burning barrels
  • Open fires
  • Solid fuel barbeques and stoves (charcoal briquetttes or wood)
  • Recreational camp fires and backyard fire pits
  • Chimeneas
  • Tiki torches
  • Fireworks and exploding targets

Hubbard says they're concerned about fires in agricultural areas with harvest moving into full swing.  "It's always a concern when we have more activity in the agricultural community.  There's always a risk of fires happening from hazards that may not be noticed and increased activity.  We also want to remind the public driving through those areas to be extra cautious to not be driving on grassed areas, leaving their car idling where they can cause fires with the exhaust systems and the hot under carriage.  Always discard smoking materials in the proper containers and don't throw them out the windows."

Hubbard says although Airdrie needs a lot of moisture before the ban is lifted, it's very hard to determine how much.  "We go by the moisture content in the grasses and what we call the fuel.  Right now we're way below seasonal averages for this time of year.  Down to a quarter or a third of what we really should be for moisture content.  Any significant flame or ignition source can cause an extreme fire."

Hubbard asks people to use extreme caution, especially with the Labour Day weekend coming up.  "When people are outside, using their propane fuelled appliances, which are still allowed, to make sure they're not up against heat sources and have extra clearances."

To see a complete list of the prohibited items and those that can still be used while the fire ban is in effect, visit the city's website here.

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com