R.M.s choosing to wait out dry weather over fire bans: SARM

Finding a balance between farmers needs and public safety has been a difficult job for regional municipalities in the face of tinder dry conditions, according to a provincial representative.

While some R.M.s have implemented complete fire bans after controlled burns spread into dangerous grass fires, others are trying to wait out the weather.

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) President Ray Orb told Saskatchewan Afternoon while fields have been bone-dry, some farmers need to burn their fields before they can seed new crops.

“I think we need to be telling people there’s extreme risk, and if at all possible do not burn right now,” he said.

Orb said many R.M.s, like his own, don’t want to stop farmers from starting their growing season.

He said some municipal councils have been waiting for the weather to improve.

However, he noted it would take at least four days of good rain to lessen the risk of grass fires.

“We’ll just wait it out for a few more days and hope the weather does change,” he said.