Lacombe County is asking residents to check their winter burn pits.
Due to extremely windy conditions, winter burn pits have been flaring up, posing a risk to properties, natural areas, and community safety.
Landowners who burned piles of debris during the winter months and early spring should check those piles.
While the fires may have appeared extinguished, deep ground fires can smoulder unseen for weeks or even months.
The combination of warmer temperatures, dry conditions, and strong spring winds creates the perfect environment for the hidden embers to reignite, which has kept fire crews in Lacombe County on high alert over the past few days.
This is extremely important for landowners to do as flare-ups can spark fast-moving grass or wildfires, wind fans the flames and spreads fire unpredictably, and a quick check now can prevent a costly and dangerous situation.
When landowners check the burn pit, they should use a metal rod to probe deep into the pile. If it's warm, it's not out; hot spots should be soaked thoroughly with water, and landowners should also never assume it's out just because they don't see smoke.
