A message from the Beaver Emergency Services Commission [BESC]

Beaver County Region, AB —

Please take a moment to assess any home hazards to ensure your family has a safe and joyous Christmas season.

Here are a few quick household checks to make:

• Ensure Christmas lighting and wiring are clear of any combustibles and your circuits are not overloaded
• Keep natural trees well hydrated to avoid them drying out
• Keep lit candles away from other flammable items and do not place them under cabinets or shelves.
• Do not dispose of Christmas wrappings in a wood burning fireplace
• Ensure smoke alarms are unobstructed, working and vacuumed clear

In addition, when cooking ‘watch what you heat’ and always have a plan and meeting place assigned if the alarm sounds.

BESC is committed to being prepared just in case. “We would like to thank our firefighters for volunteering to spend their holidays on call to ensure everyone’s safety” says Gene Hrabec, Chairman of BESC.

On behalf of the Beaver Emergency Services Board, we would like to wish you and your families a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

The Governmnent of Alberta and Health Canada regularily update the following links.

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus.html

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and grass fires

Alberta’s Wildfire Season is starting on March 1. The Office of the Fire Commissioner, municipalities and fire departments across Alberta, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, and Alberta FireSmart are all working to help raise awareness about wildfire - Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and grass fires.

During the 2018 fire season the Alberta government responded to 1,111 wildfires that burned more than 52,296.55 hectares across our province.

Preparing for the threat of wildfire is a shared responsibility. You can do your part:

Read more: Wildfire Threat

Fire Permits for open burning are now required year round, from January 1st to December 31st. At the December 5, 2013 meeting of the Beaver Emergency Services Commission, Bylaw No. 4-2013 was passed which brought in the changes for fire permits. For more information on fire permits please review the information on the BESC website or contact the Beaver Emergency Services office at 780-336-3041.

Fire permits are available by filling out an application online on the BESC website at www.besc.ca or from the following Fire Guardians:

Read more: Fire Permits Required Year Round