The Okotoks Fire Department (OFD) is reminding residents to keep fires to safe and approved sites after a small fire was started in the wooded area along the Cimarron Parkway trail.
Firefighters patrolling on the north side of the river spotted smoke on the south side after receiving a complaint from a member of the public, said Ryan Kaiser, a firefighter with the OFD, and youths were seen dragging burning logs to the river.
They co-ordinated a response with crews from Station 2 on the south side of the river just as what was a small fire began to grow in size.
"Initially we couldn't see any smoke or flames, but when the wind picked up, this little fire started going," Kaiser said.
"We were able to knock it down successfully with our wild land unit."
Backup arrived soon after from the north side of the river and helped identify and extinguish hot spots.
One firefighter found a smoldering log several metres from the site of the fire laying in dry brush.
Kaiser said the fire was not caused naturally, and fires should be kept out of the greenways.
"The Town has been very accommodating with having fire pits in front yards," he said.
"Lets just keep it to the appropriate and approved fire pits and keep the fires out of the natural areas."
Dry vegetation in natural areas can ignite a brush fire even in early spring, he added.
Peace officers from Okotoks Municipal Enforcement also attended the scene, but no suspects were located and no fines or charges issued.
