Lethbridge-wide water drive continues, fire safety reminders issued as temperatures rise
As heat returns to the long-range forecast in Lethbridge, outreach organizations are preparing to help the vulnerable population stay cool, while fire officials monitor the increasing fire risk.
This year's citywide water drive, in partnership between the Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Sage Clan, MyCityCare, Downtown BRZ, Streets Alive Mission, Diversion Outreach Team, Community Links, Canadian Mental Health Association and Recovery Alberta, have handed out more than 36,000 bottles of water to those in need.
'It's actually life or death,' said Danielle McIntyre, executive director of Interfaith Food Bank.
'When someone doesn't have the ability to get out of the heat, we obviously have heat emergencies that can happen to you physically, but I think one of the things that we often forget about is that bottle of water is a lot of relief to an individual.'
Warming temperatures in Lethbridge Aug.1, 2025
Aid organizations have distributed over 36,000 bottles of water to those in need.
(Karsen Marczuk, CTV Lethbridge)
With the Heritage Day long weekend underway and the hottest month of the summer now here, McIntyre says demand has outpaced supply.
She says they are in need of about $2,000 worth of bottled water to get through the next four weeks and are putting out a call to the community for assistance.
'It's also been a different summer,' said McIntyre.
'We haven't had that dry heat for long spells. There's been a lot of rain in between, which hasn't made us feel as hot because we have had those reprieve, but for someone who isn't able to get out of the sun it is definitely going to be a struggle.'
Monitoring the fire risk
The fluctuating forecast between hot temperatures and rainy conditions has been challenging for fire officials with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) to predict the fire risk.
'Lethbridge can be like a desert,' said Troy Hicks chief fire marshal with LFES.
'The rain hits and if we get our normal winds, it doesn't even have a chance for that moisture to soak into the ground and do any good, it just dries up so quickly.'
'So unfortunately, it could look very green but the dead fall that is under that green grass -- that's the risk, that's what can burn -- so that's what we're monitoring and that's what gives us our levels if we have to put it on.'
While it may be frustrating for residents to see a fire ban be implemented, lifted and then implemented again all in a matter of days, Hicks says there's a lot of work behind the scenes that has to be done.
'We have devices around the city that the Government of Alberta monitors as well and it will give us readings,' explained Hicks.
'It will give us a reading for flame spread rating and it will also give us a reading for fine fuel load. There are certain levels they're allowed to be at – there's either safe, normal, above normal or extreme – and that's what we look for.'
There are fire bans are in place for Lethbridge, but Hicks says the risk is still high and is urging everyone to be cautious when having fires.
'Be safe and pay attention to what you are doing,' he said.
'We have had the odd smoldering fires that people have left... that's one of the biggest risks we have to watch for just make sure your fire is out. As we always say, you soak it, you stir it and you soak it again.'
Hicks say when a fire ban is on in the river valley, residents are still permitted to have fires in their backyards.
But, he says, be courteous to those around you.
'Even if you're the ones that don't have a fire and a neighbour's fire is bothering you and you call 911 to get our guys there, that's fine -- but I recommend people educate themselves on the fire bylaw,' he said. 'As long as people are following the fire bylaw, they aren't breaking the rules. They are allowed to have that fire pit.'
'Be friends with your neighbours,' he added. 'Talk to them and if you can be friendly with your neighbours and there is an issue and you don't like it, maybe they won't have a fire.'
Above normal August
Whether its fire conditions or heat safety, meteorologists say August appears to be trending towards above-normal temperatures.
'For the month of August, it's generally a drier note for southern Alberta,' said Christy Climenhaga, with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
'That doesn't mean its going to be dry every day,' she added, 'but our monthly totals -- we are picking up that drier-than-normal trend which could mean some lower levels of precipitation.'
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