News
Red Deer, Penhold And Innisfail Under Fire Bans

By Sheldon Spackman
A full, city-wide fire ban is now in place for Red Deer. Continued hot, dry conditions have led to the ban in hopes of preventing any fires within the City, especially in it’s parks and forested areas, so all existing fire permits are now suspended.
This means the following fires are not allowed:
- Fires using charcoal, briquettes or wood in the City of Red Deer which includes parks and outdoor residential property
- Any source of open flame (i.e. Tiki Torches, backyard fireplaces)
The following fires are allowed:
- Certified gas fire pits
- Certified gas stoves or barbeques designed for cooking
- Certified cooking appliances utilizing charcoal, briquettes or wood pellets on residential property
Red Deer Emergency Services encourages residents to take extra caution to prevent fires. Proper disposal of smoking materials is very important as many fires are started by individuals throwing them out a window or discarding them in plants.
Any person contravening the fire ban will be subject to a $210 fine and applicable response fees. City officials say the ban will remain in effect until conditions change and further notice is given.
The Town of Penhold has also issued a fire ban for it’s community. In a release, Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast says “Propane and natural gas BBQ’s and liquid fueled camp stoves are still permitted”.
Elsewhere, the Town of Innisfail has also issued a total fire ban. This means that open-air fires of any type are not allowed under any circumstance, until the Fire Chief indicates otherwise. This includes, but is not limited to, backyard fire pits and campfires.
For more information on fire bans across the province, visit https://albertafirebans.ca/
Alberta
Stars and RCMP chopper combine to rescue fallen ice climber

From Alberta RCMP media relations
Rocky Mountain House RCMP assist in ice climber rescue
On Jan. 15, 2021 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Rocky Mountain House RCMP received a dispatch of a fallen ice climber who was in need of medical assistance. A SOS beacon was received locating the fallen ice climber at the south end of Abraham Lake. Reports indicate the climber fell approximately 12 meters.
RCMP, EMS, Search and Rescue (SAR), STARS air ambulance and Alstrom Helicopters assisted in the rescue. The 28 year old injured male was long line rescued from his location by Alstrom Helicopters, with the assistance of Rocky Mountain House SAR. STARS was waiting nearby and further transported the injured male to a Calgary hospital.
The rescued male suffered serious but non life threatening injuries as a result of his fall.
Everyone who assisted in this rescue should be commended for their professional, swift and incredible work. Well done!
Central Alberta
COVID cases falling! Below 200 in Red Deer and under 1200 in all of Central Alberta – Mike York Update





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