Calgary Fire Department says to remain mindful of safety over Canada Day long weekend

Calgary Herald

28-06-2025

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Calgarians are full-swing into their long weekend vacation plans, but the Calgary Fire Department asks everyone to remain mindful of their own safety over the next few days.
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CFD public information officer Carol Henke said anyone at home should be aware of general fire safety after recent events that took place in Calgary.
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'Tragically we had a house fire [on Thursday] that took the lives of a father and daughter, so fire prevention is very important,' Henke said. 'The fire is still under investigation so I can't speak on that specifically, but we do know that the most common cause for inside fires is cooking left unattended and cooking with oil.'
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Handling a grease fire
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In the event of a grease fire, Henke said it is important to follow a few simple steps to avoid any damages that can occur.
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'Put the lid on, turn off the heating element, and leave it,' she said. 'Where we see things go wrong is when people try to carry the burning pot of oil through the house or outside. The oil is hundreds of degrees and can cause severe damage.
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'Never put water on it. That will cause an explosion and quickly turn an easily extinguishable fire into a spreading fire.'
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Homeowners should also take the time to check their fire and carbon monoxide alarms as an added safety measure, familiarize themselves with exits around their home, and develop a proper escape plan.
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Currently, there is no fire ban in place for Calgary. Henke said residents should always check the City of Calgary's website to see if restrictions change.
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'We have had a lot of rain here, so we are good for moisture,' she said.
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For anyone with a backyard firepit, Henke said to never leave it unattended, adding that firepits require spark guards. She adds that an extinguishing method like a connected hose or a bucket of water should be readily available if needed.
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'Only burn clean, dry, seasoned wood,' she said. 'We've responded to fires where people tried to burn yard waste, construction waste, and I even attended a fire years ago where someone tried to burn drywall.
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'So, do not burn things that should not be burned in a fire pit because it is a hazard and it creates stinky smoke that's going to be annoying for your neighbours.'