Fire Ban in Effect

Due to the high temperature, dry conditions, and the availability of wildfire suppression resources, Saddle Hills County has issued a FIRE BAN. 

This Fire Ban applies to all areas outside of the Forest Protection Area, including private land, crown land, and recreational areas. Alberta Wildfire has also issued a province-wide ban for areas inside the Forest Protection Area.

Now Prohibited:
All outdoor wood fires, including burning barrels, wood campfires on private land, or campfires in back country or random areas,
BBQ charcoal briquettes,
Fireworks & exploding targets,
Burning of brush piles, windrows, or other debris.

Allowed (with caution):
Propane/natural gas-powered appliances,
Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches),
Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor,
All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards,
Off-Highway Vehicles.

This Fire Ban will remain in place until conditions improve. Fire Danger Levels will be reviewed daily and the Fire Ban will be downgraded subject to available firefighting resources and fire weather conditions. 

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until cool to the touch, to ensure it is extinguished.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 9-1-1 or 310-FIRE.

Alberta Crop Report - July 23, 2024

After consistent ratings on crop conditions since the middle of June, the recent heat was prolonged enough that major crop conditions significantly declined from 73 per cent good to excellent last week, to 55 per cent good to excellent. Current conditions are now rated below the 5- and 10-year average of 57 and 62 per cent good to excellent, respectively. After cool temperatures during the beginning of the growing season, the last 30-day average daily mean temperature has been above the long-term normal temperature for most of the province. While rain and marginally cooler temperatures are in the near forecast, the true effects of the prolonged heat and potential positive impacts of rain will be unknown for a few weeks.  

Crop staging is only marginally ahead of the historical average as major crops across the province are just nearing the end of flowering. Some spring wheat has started milk development, while oats are still halfway through flowering. Pasture weed growth is rated moderate for 19 per cent of the province and heavy for 3 per cent. Weed presence is heaviest in the South, at 8 per cent heavy growth. Reported pests include grasshoppers, particularly on fields near pastures, along with gophers and aphids. Diamondback moths have been observed in sweeps. 

Precipitation the past week was sporadic, with only a few small areas, mostly along the west side of the province, receiving up to 30 mm, while most other areas received nothing. The western Peace Region, received between 15 and 80 mm. However, the majority of the province still needs precipitation, as areas that have experienced excessive moisture are now drying up due to prolonged heat. Regionally, 40 (49 per cent last week) of surface soil moisture is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 29 (60) per cent in the Central Region, 38 (79) per cent in the North East Region, 22 (59) per cent in the North West Region, and 47 (73) per cent in the Peace Region. Overall, provincial surface soil moisture is rated 35 per cent (61 last week) good to excellent.  

As crops are in the reproductive stage of their growth, moisture requirements are high. With minimal recent rain, sub-surface moisture has continued to deplete. Regionally, 31 (45 per cent last week) of subsurface soil moisture is rated good to excellent in the South Region,16 (20) per cent in the Central Region, 41 (63) per cent in the North East Region, 26 (57) per cent in the North West Region, and 53 (85) per cent in the Peace Region. Overall, provincial sub-surface soil moisture is rated 30 per cent (47 last week) good to excellent.  

Tame hay conditions have been slowly declining since the beginning of July, but experienced a significant decrease in growth rated good to excellent since last report. Currently, provincial tame hay is rated 43 per cent good to excellent, down from last week’s 62 per cent. This is also below the 5- and 10-year average of 55 per cent good to excellent. Though many regions report adequate first cut yields, many reports indicate second cut growth is unable to regenerate in the excessive heat and lack of moisture. There are multiple reports of producers silaging heat damaged crops to ensure feed availability. Regionally, 58 (66 per cent last week) of tame hay is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 30 (43) per cent in the Central Region, 36 (73) per cent inn the North East Region, 35 (66) per cent in the North West Region, and 64 (71) per cent in the Peace Region. Pasture conditions have also decreased over the week, as the hot weather has made regrowth from grazing minimal and current growth start to brown. Regionally, 55 (61 per cent last week) of pasture is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 45 (56) per cent in the Central Region, 48 (77) per cent in the North East Region, 28 (67) per cent in the North West Region, and 64 (71) per cent in the Peace Region. Overall, provincial pasture is rated 49 per cent (63 last week) good to excellent.  

Regional Assessment - Region 5: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview) 

  • The Peace Region has had three consecutive weeks of hot weather that has interfered with canola and pea growth. This week’s major crops decreased from 73 per cent last week, to 57 per cent good to excellent this week.  
  • Pasture conditions are rated as 7 per cent poor, 29 per cent fair, 55 per cent good, 9 per cent excellent.  
  • Even though sub-surface soil moisture in the Peace is the highest rated in the province, conditions are still below their historical averages. Currently, sub-surface soil moisture is rated as 3 per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 49 per cent good, 4 per cent excellent and 0 per cent excessive.  

Contact Us

Saddle Hills
Junction of Hwy 49 & Secondary Hwy 725
RR1, Spirit River AB
T0H 3G0
T. 780-864-3760
Fax 780-864-3904
Toll-free 1-888-864-3760
frontdesk@saddlehills.ab.ca

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