Okotoks Fire & Rescue has some new capabilities to help tackle wildfires.
The fire department recently took delivery of two new trucks that will help carry more water to fires and get firefighters into difficult terrain.
A new bush truck is specialized for fighting wildfires or grass fires in areas that might be hard for typical fire trucks to access, deputy Chief Colin Sager said.
“We specifically built a new truck, kind of purpose-built for wildfires in our area and surrounding areas,” Sager said.
Another new truck, a water tanker, almost doubles the amount of water that can be brought to the scene of a fire, he said.
In a typical grass fire or wildfire, bush trucks will fill up with water from a tanker parked nearby, and then go back to the fire.
“If we’re not close to a hydrant, we can stay on scene a little longer,” Sager said.
The Okotoks fire department has had to put out several grass fires so far this spring, which is one of two seasons that are typically higher-risk, Sager said.
“It’s kind of this time (of year). and then late fall, where things start to brown up and that top layer of grass gets pretty dry,” he said.
Rain or spring snow can help reduce risk, but fires can start easily and spread quickly in dry conditions, he said.
"If we have a little bit of wind, you're not going to be able to catch up to it,” he said.
To reduce risk on private property, he said hazards like long grass can be mitigated and burn barrels or fire pits can be put on a gravel pad, if possible.
With areas like the river valley or some of the bigger parks, grass fires do start in Okotoks.
Most are human caused by things like cigarette butts, unattended campfires or kids playing with matches, Sager said.
