A warm winter, and a hot start to spring is causing an extreme risk of wildfire in West Central Saskatchewan.  With the dry weather grass fires have already stared occurring this season and the increased risk is causing fire bans in places like RM of Chesterfield, RM of Mariposa, Eston, and Coleville.  Much of Western Saskatchewan is currently under a zone of high or extreme caution for wild fires. 

West Central Online spoke to Rosetown Fire Chief Dennis Ogg about what goes into the decision of a fire ban:

"Based off the weather, and what's left of the fields.  The farmers are generally a much better judge on that than I am.  So I rely on them to advise me.  We just urge everybody to be really careful. The risk is at a high level, and we have to ask you to not burn."

These dry conditions extend as far as Saskatoon, with the Eastern part of the province seeing more precipitation.  Winter time saw far less snow than is normal and the beginning of spring is staying the course.   The lack of rain is concerning with the reminders of last years forest fires still in mind. 

Luckily seasonal forecasts are calling for increased rainfall by the time summer comes around.  Something that will be urgently needed to battle dry conditions and prevent further wildfire.

In areas not affected by the fire ban experts recommend:

  • Never leaving a fire unattended
  • Contacting emergency services if an unattended fire is spotted
  • Avoid discarding cigarettes from moving vehicles, especially near fielded areas
  • Always properly extinguish any fire