Calgary fire crews kept busy with multiple grass and brush fires

Calgary fire crews responded to five separate grass and brush fires near the Douglas Fire Trail on Monday morning, after receiving a 911 call from a golfer at the nearby Shaganappi Point Golf Course at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Additional calls to 911 reported several more fires along the wooded area nearby. While one fire was burning close to the tracks, others were located farther away. Calgary Fire Department resources were quickly deployed to contain and extinguish all fires.  Bush buggies, engines, a tender as well as a gator were used to access the various areas where fires were reported. CPS assisted with closing pathways during firefighting operations for the safety of park and pathway users.

CP Rail was also alerted to the fires and firefighting efforts near the train tracks. No injuries have been reported and no structures were damaged

The cause of the fires is currently under investigation. If anyone witnessed suspicious activity or individuals near the locations where the fires began, they are asked to email information and or photos to the Calgary Fire Department at piofire@calgary.ca.

The most common accidental source and cause of outdoor fires is the improper disposal of smoking materials. https://www.calgary.ca/safety/smoking-materials.html

How to properly dispose of smoking material

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. 
• Never toss smoking material from balconies.
• 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.

Smoking in natural areas

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.

Fire pit safety

Backyard fire pits, as well as outdoor fire places, wood-burning ovens or chimeneas, should be used properly to ensure the safety of you and your neighbours. Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire.

• Before using your fire pit, familiarize yourself with optimal wind conditions.
  • High wind speeds may send smoke long distances or pose a fire hazard.
  • Low wind speeds won’t easily disperse smoke and can contribute to poor air quality.
• Placing a metal grill/screen on top of the fire pit reduces the flame's size and helps prevent sparks and embers from escaping and igniting nearby materials.
• Always have an extinguishing source nearby and never leave a fire unattended.
• Fore more information on all firepit rules and guidelines, visit calgary.ca/safety/fire-pits.

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.

Please visit www.calgary.ca/fire for more fire safety and fire prevention information.

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