By Adam Ophus

busy times

Dry temperatures and winds straining local fire crews

May 31, 2019 | 11:19 AM

With wildfires raging in the north, the Town of Rocky Mountain House and areas to the west were put under a fire restriction on Thursday.

“The restriction went on yesterday through the ministerial order for the forest protection area,” says Deputy Fire Chief for Clearwater County Shawn St. Peter. “We will be raising the fire advisory up to a fire restriction to the east side of the county as well would be our intention.”

Temperatures and a lack of rain continue to be uncooperative, leaving a lot preventative control in citizen’s hands.

“What we’re doing right now has to do with individual users and we’re asking everyone to be very cognizant of what they’re doing with their properties and if they do have to have a fire (with a license), we are restricting those.” States St. Peter

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The Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services has multiple fire fighters and equipment up north battling the blaze. But with recent temperatures and winds here at home they may not be able to send any more help.

“We had a structure fire yesterday in the north eastern part of the county where we lost a home. The grass fire extended from the home and we were able to save two barns with the support from our crews from Rimbey, and Ponoka County,” said St. Peter.

“Crews from Condor and Leslieville were on scene and our Caroline hall was basically stood up to support the back and south and west part of the county as well we had crews in Nordegg doing calls last night as well.”

St. Peter says they may soon have to recall their crews from the northern Alberta wildfires.

“We’re basically at the max of what we can do to support outside of our county and have the support inside of the county. The risk now is starting to move up to the point of us having to re-evaluate as to even having our ability to maintain resources outside of our county at this point.”