County residents reminded of fire restrictions following Tuesday barn fire

Apr 23, 2020 | 11:04 AM

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service is reminding the public of fire restrictions, after responding to a barn fire near the Town of Wembley on Tuesday, April 21.

At around 4:11 p.m. that day, crews responded to a report of the fire, which had spread to the roof of the barn upon arrival. County Regional Fire Services crews from the Clairmont, Dunes and La Glace stations, as well as the Wembley and Beaverlodge Fire Departments, contained and extinguished the fire to stop it from spreading to nearby structures.

No one was harmed in the fire.

The cause of the fire was deemed to be embers from an open fire that spread due to high winds of more than 51 km an hour.

The County is reminding residents that burning of any kind is not allowed when winds exceed 12 km an hour, and that a fire ban is still in effect for the entire County, the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, and the Village of Hythe.

The fire ban prohibits outdoor or open fires (except permanent recreational fire pits), burning barrels, fireworks, exploding targets and temporary fire pits.

Allowed burning includes gas barbecues, propane fire pits and permanent recreational fire pits. Permit requests to burn crops for agricultural purposes are still being accepted.

Not complying with the fire ban may result in fines as well as charges for the cost of responses.

by Emily Keller