By Colleen Smith

Evidence of burned brush the result of fighting fire with fire

May 13, 2016 | 12:00 PM

While wildfires continue to rage in Alberta, the Battleford fire chief is assuring residents the number of fires in the area is substantially lower than in previous years.

“This year – believe it or not – has been one of our slower years in recent memory,” Larry Gabruch said.

Gabruch said evidence of burnt grass is not due to wildfire, but to what Gabruch described as one of the most effective prevention methods. In order to combat the elevated risk, it often means fighting fire with fire.

“(It) is part of an annual preventative measure our department undertakes to eliminate any wildfire locations that deem a threat to potential residential dwellings or other assets. We’ll attempt to clear those areas by burning those areas in a controlled fashion and head off any fires caused by mischief,” he said.

Gabruch believed this year’s quiet fire season was due to residents taking wildfires seriously and doing their part heed bans in place.

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The elevated measures of caution may also be due to the recent media coverage of the fires of Fort McMurray.

“What we have found is that it has made residents of Battle River really responsible in the sense of being cognisant of the threat that fire can pose,” he said.

Gabruch expects the department will lift the fire ban in the Battle River RM shortly. Residents will be able to then control their own grass fires with a required year-round burn permit.

To avoid further outbreaks, Gabruch advises residents burn their controlled fires later in the day, when the wind is less and the humidity reaches a deeper degree of condensation.

colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

@ColleenAJSmith