ASSINIBOIA — Assiniboia Fire Chief Terry Lacelle says their team received only two calls for May and both were false alarms.
May training for this division of protective services focused on fire truck pump operations, hydrant hookup and water flow.
“For our monthly safety topic, it is extremely dry in our area and the province, please use extra caution using fire pits,” Lacelle adds.
Here is a link to the provincial daily fire risk maps, active incidents and current fire bans .
As well, Lacelle reminds residents about Assiniboia’s fire pit regulations/rules that are included on the Town of Assiniboia website.
Open fires are not permitted and residential fire pits must have a protective grate to contain fire and sparks. The fire pit must be located 10 feet from any property lines, buildings or combustible materials.
Chimney and portable fire pits shall not be located on any balconies or on wooden decks.
No fire shall be permitted before 11 a.m. and should not burn past 1 a.m. Charcoal, cut seasoned wood or manufactured logs are the only things permitted to be burned in a residential fire pit.
Do not set your fire in windy conditions.
Other common tips for fire pit safety offered by various sources include: Always have the right fire pit accessories on hand which include tools to manoeuvre logs in the pit safely. A bucket of water should be handy for putting out the fire when ready to leave. Investing in a fire extinguisher is never a bad idea.
Always completely extinguish your fire before leaving it, which would include not only water to extinguish but also using a tool to mix water with ash to ensure embers are out. It is recommended to always check your fire pit the next morning to ensure the fire is still totally out.
