Residents heed ban on open fires

People urged to remain vigilant

With only six violations reported over the weekend, Regina residents seem to have received the message after the city’s first fire ban was put into effect Friday evening.

“I was quite pleased with so few,” fire marshal Randy Ryba said.

He said violations were anticipated, considering not everyone reads the news, but there were fewer calls than expected. The calls were dealt with quickly and resulted in no further issues.

Despite rain in the forecast later this week, Ryba said that does not mean the ban will be lifted. Unless the city gets sustained periods of rain, surface grass dries out again within hours and fires are still a risk.

As autumn approaches, leaves fall and dry up and grass enters its dormant stage, the risk of fire increases further, Ryba said.

“Even people’s yards now, a lot of people have given up watering and even their own yards are somewhat dry and it’s just more fuel,” Ryba said.

He’s urging residents to remain vigilant by abiding by the ban and discarding cigarettes properly, even if a few days of rain occur.

While enforcement has gone smoothly for the Regina Fire & Protective Services Department so far, Ryba said there are some areas of the city where they cannot enforce the ban.

“Our fire bylaw is not enforced on Wascana Centre property because it’s provincially ... owned land,” Ryba said.

Wascana Centre implemented its own fire ban on Friday, following the City of Regina’s lead. The ban covers all 2,300 acres of Wascana Centre.

According to Carrie Ross, executive director of the Provincial Capital Commission, the centre has special constables who patrol the park. After several big events held in the park over the weekend, she said no tickets were issued.

“Our staff was sure to alert them and just to let them know and they were completely understanding,” Ross said.

As of Aug. 31, a provincial ban on open fires was extended by the Saskatchewan government to include all provincial Crown land and provincial parks and recreation sites from south of the Churchill River all the way to the U.S. border.

According to a news release, all open fires, including fireworks, are prohibited, but self-contained heating devices, pressurized stoves, gas barbecues, propane fire pits or charcoal briquettes “used in an approved firebox” are allowed for cooking and heating purposes.

In response to several questions from residents regarding whether meat smokers are included in the ban, Ryba said as long as they are factory-built, or engineered for that purpose, and run on natural gas or propane, they can be used.

“We’re trying to be as fair to folks as we can, but we have to reduce our risk with respect to open burning,” Ryba said.

“Anything that we can allow we certainly will, but any solid fuel burning, that’s the problem, you have embers flying and the grass is dry.”

After two recent grass fires on Wascana Parkway and Ring Road, Ryba said there are now no grass fires burning within city limits. He said it’s typical for grass fires to become more frequent this time of year, but they have been a little busier than usual this year.

Violations can be reported to the city by calling 306-7777000 or to the Wascana Centre for violations that occur in the park at 306-522-3661.