UNITY — Residents were hoping that some late April snow would help alleviate the dry environmental conditions but days of high winds have made spring fire hazards more prevalent.
The Saskatchewan Government Ministry of Environment web page posts a Saskatchewan Spatial Fire Management map daily notifying residents of the levels of fire hazards across the province.
As of April 29, the RM of Round Valley has issued a fire ban. As of May 2, the RM of Tramping Lake issued a fire ban effectively immediately. By afternoon of May 2nd, Wilkie Fire Deparment included fire bans for RM of Buffalo and RM of Reford on their fire bans list, posted on social media.
From an April 25 story SASKTODAY.ca, North Battleford was also placed under a fire ban.
Unity Fire Department says vigilance is necessary as conditions are very dry. UFD says spring still presents a real grass fire risk - SaskToday.ca. Earlier this spring UFD had reported to a grass fire and April 30 they were called again to a grass fire, evidence the fire hazard concerns are real.
No other rural municipalities have issued fire bans as of May 2 morning.
Some weather forecasting sources have cited that there could be sparse rain in May, and likely June could follow the same pattern. The Pig Spleen Weather Prognostication Facebook page has been relatively accurate for April snow and rain events, and some maintain this method of weather forecasting has been close to what weather actually occurs. The pig spleen forecast predicts rain May 2 and 22 and then likely not again until towards the end of June.
Residents are reminded to keep up-to-date on the latest fire ban notifications and weather conditions. While farmers are anxious to begin spring seeding, the thought of another dry spring is concerning.
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