WILDFIRE POLICY AND GUIDELINES       

IN CHURCH RANCHES*

The Alberta Wildfire Season is March 1 to October 31.

Wildfires, including grass, brush, and forest fires, are not isolated to remote areas located somewhere distant from Bearspaw. They are a definite threat to our properties in Church Ranches and Bearspaw. Although the fire resources of Rocky View County, the City of Calgary, and if necessary, Provincial & Federal agencies are available, emergency response times can be hampered by resource and workforce availability, distances, access, and weather conditions. 

Fire prevention strategies are everybody’s responsibility and are the key to eliminate or at least reduce losses.   

Church Ranches Residents are therefore expected to:

• Review and implement the fire prevention tips contained in the “Alberta Fire Smart Manual” which can be found at: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460121436.  Additional information for homes and acreages can be found at www.firesmartalberta.ca under “Resources” and “Guides and Manuals.”

• Register with the Rocky View County “Safe & Sound” Program: https://www.rockyview.ca/safe-and-sound. Through this program you will be advised of fire advisories, fire bans, notifications, and emergency updates. Fire ban information can also be found at: https://www.rockyview.ca/fire-emergency. Sign up also for the County Connection Newsletter at https://www.rockyview.ca/email-newsletter. 

• Be familiar with the “Alberta Emergency Alert” system. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx. Personalize the Alerts by downloading the app “Alberta Emergency Alert.”

• Prepare a family emergency evacuation plan and an emergency kit. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness.aspx. Prepare an “Evacuation Checklist.”

• Ensure that all family members, child and pet sitters, and overnight guests are aware of your address and that the emergency numbers are 911 and 403-230-1401.

• During fire season, ensure that all family members, child and pet sitters, overnight guests, and neighbours are aware of how to operate your outdoor sprinkler system and the location of any garden hoses.

• Ensure that everyone is aware of emergency options for dealing with power and utility shutdowns (e.g. garage door openers, alarms, phone chargers, elevators, night lighting.)

• Be diligent on investigating the source of any smoke or fire odours.

• Maintain an adequate buffer of mowed grass in road ditches, adjacent to all pathways and roadways, and around residences and other structures. By removing long grass and brush, the speed of a fire’s spread is greatly reduced.

• Be mindful of your contractors’ activities during fire advisories and fire bans and generally with respect to fire prevention and the operation of open flame equipment (e.g., driveway re-surfacing.) The liabilities for a contractor’s activities may rest with you.

• Ensure that “No Smoking” policies are followed by everyone along roads, pathways, and in any other outdoor natural areas.

"A key component in emergency planning is to not assume that the obvious will be addressed. 

It must be stated and enforced. In Church Ranches, vigilance is the key ingredient."

* Written by Paul Wotherspoon, a Church Ranches resident and a former author of Corporate Emergency Response Plans for petroleum industry accidents, natural disasters, and socio-economic conditions.