AFE120423

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NEW & USED AG DEALS!

FERTILIZER: BIG CANOLA ACREAGE TO STRAIN SUPPLY » PAGE 9

CROP INSURANCE: ENHANCED PROGRAMS FOR 2012 » PAGE 21

Prices in effect from March 26 to April 30, 2012 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

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APRIL 23, 2012

WILDFIRE SEASON

Dry winter raises risk

FUEL FOR THE FIRE  A lack of snow cover provides ample fuel for fire to rage BY SHERI MONK

AF STAFF | PINCHER CREEK

L

iving on the Prairies means living with the threat of an out-of-control grass fire. This year, that potential was so great, the Alberta government declared the start of the wildfire season on March 1, a full month earlier than usual. “It started earlier this year because we had such a warm and dry winter,” said Whitney Exton, wildfire information officer for the Alberta government. “We received about half the amount of snow this year than we usually do. Until the grass and the trees green up, the wildfire hazard will actually remain a little higher.” The province employs firefighters who are stationed in the forestprotection areas of Alberta, and they are placed strategically. “We have fire managers who are continuing to monitor the weather and the wildfire conditions across Alberta and we’re also positioning our firefighters across Alberta so they can respond very quickly to any wildfires that start,” Exton said. Additionally, towns, villages, RMs, First Nations, Hutterite colonies and national and provincial parks also have their own fire departments. “We will help to support firefighters in rural municipalities and then there are provincial and national parks

SEE WILDFIRES  page 6

A firefighter works to extinguish a surface fire. Firefighters are stationed strategically in the forest-protection areas of Alberta. PHOTO: COURTESY ALTA. GOV’T

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