Officials warn of high wildfire risk in southern Alberta

"On a nice normal, calm day here in Lethbridge, we do still have wind, and that fire could easily double in size every two to three seconds," explained Hicks.

Stefan Keenzle, a retired University of Lethbridge professor in the department of Geography and Environment, says conditions are primed for wildfires.

“It’s a drier soil, higher temperature, lower humidity — these are all things that make wildfire risks much higher,” Keenzle explained.

Only days into the wildfire season and crews have already helped battle blazes.

Troy Hicks, the Chief Fire Marshall with the Lethbridge Fire Department, looks to the hot dry summer and knows it will be busy for the Lethbridge crew.

“It’s been a very busy year. We’ve already been busy with grass fires. This past weekend we had numerous ones around the outskirts of town. It’s only a matter of time before it come into town.”

Lethbridge County just days ago implemented a fire advisory for the region. As Heath Wright, the Emergency Services Manager of Lethbridge County explains, it’s a matter of awareness.

“We would like the public to be aware that we’re in an advisory, and to be careful if they are doing some burns in the community to make sure that they do it responsibly,” Wright explained.

“I think everybody’s responsibility is to safety. Due to the dry conditions and drought conditions, we just want to make sure people take the extra step and plan.”