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Right call to be ready for fire

While southern Albertans always can’t wait for the sun to shine after the doldrums of a Canadian winter, there wasn’t a person in the Foothills who likely wasn’t relieved to see rain in the forecast later this week.

While southern Albertans always can’t wait for the sun to shine after the doldrums of a Canadian winter, there wasn’t a person in the Foothills who likely wasn’t relieved to see rain in the forecast later this week.

That would especially go for the firefighters from the MD of Foothills and Rocky View area who had to battle a 100-hectare blaze about 16km southwest of Bragg Creek.

Fortunately, as of Tuesday morning, no one had been hurt and there were no reports of homes being lost due to the blaze. As well, the blaze was reported to be 70 per cent contained as it started to sprinkle with heavier rains expected in the future.

There were some social media comments questioning why the MD of Foothills had called a state of emergency and the over-reaction of media.

Better for the MD to be like the Boys Scouts — be prepared.

Announcing the state of emergency provides the MD to ask for provincial assistance and other help. Some areas were put on a voluntary evacuation, a reminder for residents to be alert.

The state of emergency was lifted on Tuesday morning.

It’s a relief for everyone in the Foothills.

Unfortunately, it appears fires may be more commonplace in the future. The Beast in Fort McMurray was just two years ago, and wildfires in British Columbia were rampant a year ago.

Heavier-forested areas such as in Bragg Creek and the west end of MD of Foothills are now more prone than ever to fire in these hotter days of the 21st-century.

Fortunately, Mother Nature and the hard work of Foothills and Rocky View firefighters helped divert a tragedy last weekend.

Thorough thinking from the fire department meant the MD wasn’t in a position of closing the barn door after the horses have escaped — especially if the barn has burned down.




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