We're hosting an Open House on Wednesday, May 8th (5pm-7pm). Everyone is welcome to stop by to see the tools we use during wildland fires.

Campgrounds across our response area are reopening and seasonal ATV use is once again permitted.

All-terrain vehicles are an important part of outdoor life for many Canadians – they’re fun to ride, have practical uses and can get you places you otherwise might not access.

Here’s some tips to keep you safe:

• Load/unload correctly onto a truck bed or trailer.
• Don’t drink or do drugs, and drive. Report others who do.
• Always wear a helmet and other protective clothing (gloves, goggles).
• Obey trail rules.
• Yield to foot and cycling traffic. Stop and turn off engines when approaching horses.
• Yield to descending traffic.
• Handle slopes with care.
• Bring the proper license, registration and other required permits with you.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially wildlife.
• Use caution when driving at night.
• Keep off paved roads.
• Keep limbs close to you.
• Ride the right-sized vehicle.
• Monitor the weather and pack an emergency kit.

Until next month, stay safe!

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) is celebrating its first all-female firefighting crew in the Alberta community's history. Heather Yourex-West reports on how the women are trying to extinguish barriers, in a profession dominated by men.

© Global News, Heather Yourex-West, Source

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Nationally, distracted driving is the second biggest cause of traffic deaths in Canada. Inattentiveness behind the wheel accounts for 80% of collisions and 65% of near-crashes. One person is injured in a distracted driving collision every half an hour. In 2021, over 1,700 Canadians lost their lives in fatal collisions and distracted driving was responsible for 340 of these deaths.

Distracted driving puts all road users at risk, including pedestrians and cyclists. Distracted driving happens when a driver’s attention is taken away from the driving task because they’re focused on something else. This could be:

1. Texting
2. Talking on the phone or to passengers
3. Eating or drinking
4. Using the entertainment or navigation system

The risk of collision goes up when a driver’s eyes and attention are taken off the road. Distraction impairs performance and reduces driver awareness. It makes drivers slower to notice and less able to safely respond to critical events on the road, or they may miss them entirely.

Take action: help stop distracted driving

1. Never text while driving.
2. If you must send or receive a call or text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
3. Avoid using any device that takes your attention away from the task of driving including vehicle navigation systems
4. Keep your eyes on the road and safely control your vehicle at all times
5. Encourage your friends and family to drive “distraction free”.

Until next month, stay safe!

Alberta’s wildfire season is starting early this year, on February 20. This means that fire permits will be required for burning within the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire. The early start is due to the drought conditions occurring in many areas of the province, which could lead to elevated fire danger if we do not receive significant rain in the spring.

Please do your part to help prevent human caused wildfires by using caution in forested areas. Now’s the time to go back and check on any winter burn projects to make sure they are fully extinguished. Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans.