Taking a little time to clean up around your rural property this spring could make a big difference in the event of a threatening wildfire, according to Martensville Deputy Fire Chief Dean Brooman.
“The Corman Park fire ban was lifted April 18 after the heavy, wet snowfall, but it’s drying up quickly out there,” said Brooman in an interview April 24. “We’re still weeks away from everything greening up. There’s a lot of brown grass and dry foliage out there; which translates into a high fuel volume for fires that will burn very quickly.
“Also, the fields are still pretty wet and soft beneath the surface, so fire trucks can get stuck. Those conditions make it difficult for us to attack those fires, and safety is always a concern; we don’t want to put any of our members in a compromised position.”
Brooman said people need to be very cautious when it comes to burning garbage in a burning barrel or having a controlled burn. He advised landowners to always have a water supply on hand, don’t leave a fire unattended for any reason, and don’t burn on a windy day.
“Check the forecast,” he said. “It may not be windy in the morning, but that can change quickly.
“Spring is a time when we can get some high winds; and we also see days when the temperature increases and the humidity drops. When you get a situation where the temperature rises above the humidity level, that’s known as ‘cross-over’ and that’s when the situation becomes more volatile; there’s a greater potential for fires to start.”
He confirmed that firefighting expenses, which can run into thousands of dollars for large fires, are ultimately the responsibility of the landowner. He said it’s important for rural landowners to have firefighting insurance as well as fire insurance.
Many wildfires are the direct result of careless disposal of smoking material, said Brooman.
“If you’re driving down a highway or country road, don’t throw your butt out the window,” he said. “And if you’re smoking at home or in your shop, have a system in place to properly dispose of your cigarettes. Make sure they’re completely out.”
He added that precautions should also be in place if you are doing any welding or grinding jobs outdoors.
“If you’re doing farm machinery repairs or cutting metals, make sure you have a fire extinguisher and water supply on hand, and do it in an area where there’s gravel or concrete, not in a spot where there’s a lot of dry grass, brush or other combustibles.”
Brooman said spring cleaning should extend outside the dwelling.
“It’s a good idea to cut back any dead foliage, especially if it’s near any buildings,” said Brooman. “Cut the grass around your house and outbuildings; that gives you a bit of a wildfire break, and hopefully will prevent a fire from advancing into your yard.”
He added that if you have trees and bushes near your house, keep them trimmed back and make sure they’re healthy and green.
Brooman said spring is an ideal time to remove old machinery and vehicles, as well as haul away other potentially combustible items like old fuel tanks and wooden pallets.
It’s also a good idea to have an emergency plan in place in the event you have to evacuate your property on short notice, said Brooman.
“There are evacuation orders already in some communities in Alberta because of threatening wildfires,” he pointed out. “Have a plan in place, not just for yourself and your family, but also for any pets and livestock.”
Brooman said wildfires can sometimes start where you least expect them. Large round bales have been known to spontaneously combust, and sometimes a fire that started as a controlled burn that was thought to be extinguished during the winter can smoulder underground for weeks before being rekindled on the surface when things dry up.
Brooman advised residents to sign up with the provincial disaster warning system, SaskAlert, and to tune in to local electronic media for any wildfire alerts in their area.
Firefighting insurance a must for rural landowners
Rural landowners need to use extreme caution when doing a controlled burn, according to municipal officials.
In early April, there were three separate wildfires in different divisions of Corman Park, including a major one southeast of Saskatoon on April 9 and 10 that burned about 200 hectares (494 acres), Corman Park Chief Administrative Officer Kerry Hilts told a Corman Park Council meeting on Monday, April 22.
Fortunately, no structures were lost and there were no injuries in any of those fires, thanks to the efforts of firefighters. One of those fires was the result of a controlled burn that got out of control, another was apparently caused by an ATV igniting stubble in a field, and the third was started from a carelessly discarded cigarette.
An advisory posted on the RM of Corman Park website states: “Landowners are reminded that it is unwise to burn in very windy, dry weather. Always provide extensive fire guarding before a controlled burn.”
Prior to having a controlled burn on their property, landowners should call the provincial Controlled Burn Number at 1-866-404-4911. If a controlled burn has not been reported, the landowner may find him or herself facing a substantial fire invoice if a well-meaning passerby calls in a fire report. The landowner could also face a significant fine.
At the April 22 council meeting, Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood said landowners need to ensure they have a minimum of $30,000 in firefighting insurance, because the cost of fighting fires is rising every year.
Corman Park Division 8 Councillor Wendy Trask noted in a recent newsletter to residents of her division that it’s important not to burn in very windy or dry weather, and to always provide adequate fire guarding before proceeding with a controlled burn.
“If your ‘controlled burn’ gets ‘out of control,’ you are liable for the fire fighting charges,” stated Trask.
Trask echoed the need for residents of rural municipalities to have firefighting insurance. This is not the same thing as fire insurance, she noted, adding it is insurance designed to help offset the direct cost of fire fighting.
“Some residents have seen invoices in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” stated Trask in her newsletter. “Please contact your insurance broker to ensure sufficient coverage for your property.”
The Corman Park website explains why firefighting insurance is necessary for rural landowners:
“Property owners are responsible for paying the cost of fire suppression on their property. This is the additional cost of the fire trucks and materials used to fight the fire. As per Fire Services Bylaw No. 05/21, property owners are responsible for paying the cost of fighting fires on their property to a maximum of $30,000. Grass and brush fires generate substantial fire fighting costs (invoices of $20,000+ have occurred in the past) and are usually caused by carelessness.
“Check with your insurance agent to determine if your fire insurance policy covers the cost of fighting fires. An endorsement can be obtained for a nominal premium which reimburses you for the cost incurred in fighting a fire.”