Calgary fire crews battle fast moving grass fire in Saint George's Heights

At approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, Calgary 911 began receiving multiple calls reporting a grass fire on the west side of St. George's Drive N.E.

Due to dry grass and windy conditions, the fire spread rapidly. Calgary Fire Department crews responded swiftly and worked diligently to contain the fire and prevent it from reaching nearby homes.

Several fire apparatus were deployed to the scene, including a bush buggy—an off-road firefighting vehicle specifically designed for this type of terrain and incident.

An early report suggested a possible injury. However, it was later determined that a single individual assessed by EMS had only sustained minor burns to their socks.

A Calgary Fire Department fire investigator attended the scene and found evidence of a small encampment, including cooking equipment. The fire originated in that area and is believed to have been caused by an open flame igniting the dry grass.

The Calgary Fire Department reminds all Calgarians that current dry conditions significantly increase the risk of grass and brush fires. Even a small flame or spark can ignite dry vegetation, and Calgary’s frequent windy conditions can cause these fires to spread quickly and threaten nearby homes.  

The number one cause of outdoor accidental fires is still the improper disposal of smoking materials. 

To better protect your homes, it is recommended that you:

• Never put out cigarettes or smoking material in flower planter, peat moss, your lawn or garden. 
• Use a deep, wide, sturdy metal container with a lid, filled part way with sand or water that should be emptied regularly.
• Ensure all butts and ash are out by soaking them with water prior to putting in the trash.

Extreme caution should be used in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where extremely dry vegetation covering the ground provides readily combustible fuel if an ignition source is applied.

Safety rules for fire pits

1. Backyard fire pits should be built into the ground, on brick or stone, or in a fire-proof container. Portable fire pits may be used on a deck as long as they sit on brick or stone and not directly on the wood.
2. Fire pits must be at least two metres away from your property line, house, garage or fence.
3. Fire pits must not be under any trees, branches, plants or other materials that can catch fire.
4. All fires in your fire pit must be kept to a reasonable size; 1 metre high and wide. A mesh screen or ‘spark guard’ is required in order to reduce the spread of embers and sparks from wood-burning fire pits. The openings in the mesh screen must not be greater than 1.24 cm across.
5. Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
   • Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
   • Wood from a different location, region or province
   • Wet or green/fresh cut wood
   • Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
   • Garbage
   • Rubber or plastic
   • Furniture
6. Always have a way to put out the fire close to your fire pit. Keep a watering hose or a bucket of water nearby.
7. All fires in your fire pit must be continually supervised.
8. No Person shall ignite or allow an outdoor fire to burn on a premises:
   • between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday; or
   • between 1:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

To report an unattended fire, such as when the residents have been away from the fire pit for an extended period of time, call 311.

To report an out-of-control fire that is spreading outside of the fire pit, call 911.

-30-