UPDATE: In addition to the morning coulee fire, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services members, along with Lethbridge Police Service, responded to a fire along the 1600 block of Scenic Drive South Tuesday at around 1 p.m., near Mountain View Cemetery.
BACKGROUND
An overnight blaze in the coulees has prompted the City of Lethbridge to put a river valley fire ban in place.
Just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to a grass fire in the river valley near Scenic Drive and 10 Avenue South, with crews from four stations dispatched to the scene.
Officials say the fire was burning uphill through dry grass and vegetation.
A coordinated response saw the fire brought under control quickly, which prevented it from reaching nearby homes.
Officials say no structures were damaged, and there were no injuries reported.
The City says warmer temperatures, strong wind gusts and low humidity have created a high fire risk, leading to the ban. “Even a small spark can spread quickly in dry grass and brush,” reads a notice from the City of Lethbridge.
The fire ban applies to all open fires in the river valley.
“Residents and visitors are asked to use extra caution. Do not light any open fires and ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished and disposed of safely,” reads the notice.
Further information about the river valley fire ban is available on the City website.
