A recent grass fire in Springbank serves as reminder that residents need to be careful.

Cochrane Fire Prevention Officer Jeff Avery says although Cochrane received a lot of precipitation this winter, wildfire season is upon us.

"We had a pile of snow in some areas but once that first layer of moisture and that frost comes out of the ground and it dries off pretty quick. Those chinook winds dry everything out so fast. We are hoping for a little bit of rain now and start greening everything up because every hill you see in town and along the ditches is all tall, dry grass."

The devastating wildfire of Fort McMurray which spread over 590,000 hectares and took months to control, began almost a year ago. While community members may not think throwing their cigarette butt out the window is a big deal, Avery says everyone needs to mindful and extremely cautious.

"We have a lot of hills and a lot of open space in town which is great, but it is also a bit of a dangerous thing to have if we don't treat it properly."

Avery adds people should be mindful of burning grass and leaves, not disposing cigarette butts properly, and even littering beer bottles.

"It is pretty tinder right now, so definitely don't be throwing cigarette butts out the window, beer bottles...even the reflection of the sun on a beer bottle can start a fire."

If you want to enjoy a fire in Cochrane, you can do so safely at the fire pits at Cochrane Ranche Historic Park and Riverfront Park; if you prefer the backyard gathering make sure you are only burning approved firewood.

"This is the time of year where we have to remind people don't burn old grass, old leaves, backyard fire pits are for approved wood only. There is no construction material, waste material, no garbage burning; just clean wood, no treated wood."

Grass fire season generally lasts a good month in spring depending on moisture and recurs in fall.

 

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