Does it seem like we're seeing more grass fires than usual? We are, says Calgary's fire chief

Seeing this many grass fires isn't normal, according to Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth.

Fire service calls for grass and brush fires have increased both in the inner city and on Calgary's outskirts. 

"If you take this year to June 11th and you compare it with the last five years, we're now seeing about three times as many fires in the urban area and actually the rural area of the city than we were in 2019," Dongworth said. 

Since the beginning of this year, fire crews have responded to 164 wildland grass fires in the inner city, at least a dozen in the city outskirts, he said. 

Calgary has had weeks of perfect conditions for these fires to break out: It's hot, there hasn't been enough rain and any flame or spark with a gust of wind can rip through all that dry vegetation. 

"We're all wishing for some rain, for sure, to kind of change this pattern," Dongworth said. 

That shift could finally be on its way, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. 

Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins said the immediate forecast is calling for an unsettled pattern, which will bring rain. In Calgary, she expects to see precipitation peak Wednesday. 

So far this month, Desjardins said, Calgary has seen only a couple millimetres of rain, with many wondering where the usual June monsoon is. 

"We are behind, well behind the average for this year," said Desjardins. "Usually we do get at least a thunderstorm or two every couple days."

This incoming system, she added, is the best chance for rain the city has seen in some time. 

One of the beautiful things about this city, Dongworth said, is the parkland. But it's a danger, too — especially with the number of people and infrastructure around.  

"Certainly housing and that's the biggest challenge, right. We have to stop those fires before they threaten housing or industry or whatever," Dongworth said. "Of course we're very focused on that."

When the city sees what's called crossover — temperatures reaching 30 degrees with a relative humidity of 30 per cent or less and wind gusts of 30 km/h — the fire department calls resources in, sometimes on overtime, in case of fire. 

Dongworth said that's when fire behaviour is a concern. 

"When you have all those three factors come into play, if you do have a fire, well a fire is more likely to start, but also it's more likely to be severe and exhibit extreme behaviour because you've achieved that crossover point," said the chief. 

While Dongworth has regular meetings and discussions on fire restrictions and fire bans, Dongworth said he's confident calling one now wouldn't slow down the rash of grass fires. 

"It would be more of a symbolic thing," Dongworth said. 

Instead, he's reminding Calgarians to be careful. 

Grass fires still make up a small fraction of calls the departments handles. For context, Dongworth said, crews have responded to thousands of medical calls so far this year.

"Our service is becoming increasingly stressed," Dongworth said. "Council have responded to that with a significant investment in the Calgary Fire Department over the next four years.… I think we're seeing all the reasons why that was the right thing to do at this time."