By Andrew de Souza

Controlled burn season begins

Apr 26, 2011 | 5:02 PM

As the weather warms and the snow melts the risk of field- and forest fires increases.

So far, fire crews have responded to eight separate grass fires around the city.

In order to keep crews available for true emergencies and in order to reduce the risks to life and property, fire crews have started their controlled burning campaign.

Prince Albert Fire Department’s fire prevention officer Dave Davies said the department keeps track of the areas that are most prone to fires.

When wind conditions are ideal, crews will move in for a controlled burn.

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“We know the areas that are a problem because we continually go to them and we’re always on the lookout for new areas that are potential problems” he said.

“We put them on a scale of priority and try to get rid of the ones that have the potential of maybe affecting property or a have a lot of kids in the area.”

He said residents near areas that require a controlled burn will be notified of the burn beforehand.

Therefore, he said if someone sees smoke in a field and hasn’t been told of the burn, their best bet will be to call the fire department.

Davies also said that with the increased risk of fires, residents need to be more aware of any heat sources they might be using such as fire pits, barbeques and disposed cigarettes.

Davies said the burn season lasts for up to a month depending on the weather and when trees and plants sprout or “green up.”

adesouz@panow.com