Although Alberta's fire season officially ends on Friday, dry and windy conditions in the southern part of the province have led to new fire advisories, particularly affecting Rocky View County.
The county's website alerts a moderate fire risk for both the east and west sides due to the ongoing dry spell and wind.
"This is definitely a period of season where honestly the weather can change very rapidly," said Rocky View County Deputy Fire Chief Bill Messner.
Deputy Fire Chief Messner noted a rise in grass fires during the past week, with up to three fires occurring in a single day. Some fires are suspected to be human-caused, such as from improperly discarded cigarettes.
"Please use the proper receptacles. Please don't flick them out of the window. That definitely can cause a lot of issues that way," Messner urged.
There is no clear timeline for lifting the advisory, but Messner expects it could last at least another week if dry conditions continue.
"We anticipate the advisory might remain in place for at least another week as dry weather persists."
Author's summary: Rocky View County remains on alert with a fire advisory and ban due to persistent dry weather and increased fire incidents, emphasizing caution to prevent human-caused fires.