Hazard Reduction Burn Plan

Home Emergency and Protective Services FireHazard Reduction Burn Plan

UPDATE: Due to wind, hazard reduction burning has been postponed and is schedule to resume on Tuesday, April 23 and will continue until Friday, April 26. Please watch for road signs alerting to ongoing burning. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Chief Sturgeon or look for the Duty Chief onsite to speak with.

Alberta weather conditions from spring to fall can often be very dry, contributing to prime fire conditions. With the province recently announcing an early start to wildfire season, it’s important for communities to have effective wildfire prevention practices in place.

We’ve recently finalized Strathmore’s Hazard Reduction Burn Plan. This plan aims to assess grassland fuels on the landscape within the community, identify locations of high fire risk based on predicted fire behaviour, and prioritize and prescribe these areas for hazard reduction burning. Through this process, selected regions within town will undergo hazard-reduction burning treatment, which will reduce the risk of wildfire, reduce the number of nuisance fires, and better prepare the community in the event of an approaching wildfire on the landscape.

What is a hazard reduction burn?

A hazard reduction burn is a planned, controlled burn of high hazard vegetation by highly trained firefighters. Typically, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry wildland firefighters use hazard reduction burns in the spring, around communities located near high-hazard areas, such as open grassy areas. Burning will reduce the risk of spring wildfires starting in this area

Objective

To assess the grassland fuels that exist on the landscape within the Town of Strathmore.
To identify locations of high fire risk based on predicted fire behaviour during periods of high hazard.
To prescribe training recommendations for the Strathmore Fire Department when it comes to hand ignition practices.
To prioritize and prescribe these areas for Hazard Reduction Burning.
Strategically remove hazardous grass around the Town of Strathmore, reducing the risk of wildfire.

Benefit

Enhance community protection by safely removing high risk areas of grass.
Reinforce pre-planned wildfire containment lines around the town.
Burning of the landscape is a natural process that eliminates old growth and allows new regeneration of grasses. By utilising burning, we allow nutrients to re-enter the soils and grow new life.

Timeline

The hazard reduction burn is scheduled for mid-March. Ignition will only occur when weather conditions are conducive to burning and when it is safe to do so.

Locations

Each area identified was ground truthed and inspected for risk, practicality, and safety. The areas identified were selected to reduce the risk of wildfire, reduce the number of nuisance fires, and to better prepare the community in the event of an approaching wildfire on the landscape.

Areas are marked as “blocks” and were given priority based on the risk to the community, level of difficulty, and fuel loading. Priority 1 was given to areas with the most fire risk to the community. Priority 2 and 3 areas are of lower risk and may be easier and safer to complete.

The initial plan involves 33 blocks. Areas on private property will only be burned upon approval of property owners.

All blocks identified in this plan are to be burnt at the Fire Chief’s discretion.

If you own land that poses a hazard or could benefit from being included in the hazard reduction burn plan, connect with the fire department at firehall@strathmore.ca or 403-934-3022.

Town of Strathmore
General Information
PO BOX 2280
1 Parklane Drive
Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2
8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: (403) 934-3133