Residents in Drumheller had a bird’s eye view as fire ripped across the dry prairie grass late Thursday afternoon. Fire broke out around at about 4 p.m. on the hill across the Red Deer River from the Badlands Community Facility and spread north to Verdant Valley Road. Roughly 50 firefighters from The Drumheller Fire Department, Rosedale Hall, Rockyford Fire Department, Dalum Fire Department, Munson Fire Department and the Morrin Fire Department all provided aid. RCMP were also on site. The fire was under controlled by 7:30 p.m. and crews continued to monitor the area for hotspots well into Thursday evening.

The cause of the fire is being classified as an accident. With the high winds and exceedingly dry conditions, the fire was able to spread rapidly over the prairie. Drumheller Fire Chief, Bill Bachynski, cautioned residents about fire safety.

"With the extreme dry conditions, if it continues like this, the fire hazard is going to get worse. Anyone using outdoor fires, like fire pits, should use caution," said Bachynski.

The dry conditions, if they persist, may result in a fire ban. There is no ban currenty in effect in the area.

"If these conditions keep up, we may see a fire ban. There is no fire ban right now, I want to make that clear," said Bachynski.

   One of the biggest concerns of parents, teachers, and the RCMP was that North Dinosaur would pose a risk to the students of the new St. Anthony’s School when it opened its doors. Those concerns have largely been alleviated thanks to motorists heeding students and the traffic light in front of the school.
    The school has been opened for a month without the volume of issues that residents had feared.
    “There was a lot of extra patrols and visibility by the detachment for two and a half to three week period. Right now, things are going well,” said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins. “There haven’t been any big issues and people are learning the traffic patterns.”
    “Things are going well,” said Tim Gregorash, principal of St. Anthony’s School. “The RCMP has done a marvelous job of making people aware that we have our school here. Their presence has helped and changed a lot of habits that needed changing.”
    There has been a concern that the traffic lights, when activated, actually last too long. The RCMP is investigating whether the red light could be shortened slightly.
    One of the biggest issues has actually been congestion in front of the school. Initially, there had been a great deal of congestion and confusion when it came time for the kids to hop on the bus or in their parents car. St. Anthony’s has put in place some solutions and is continuing to look for more.
    “We’ve done some changes at the school as well. We’re dismissing kids who need the bus five minutes earlier so that the buses leave earlier. This alleviates congestion when parents come to pick up their kids,” said Gregorash.
    Spring is in the process of springing and there is some concern over an increase in pedestrian traffic as kids decide to walk or use their bikes.
    Students are using the crosswalk safely and will be getting a refresher course soon. Bikers will also be educated on walking bikes across a crosswalk.
    The RCMP will also keep an eye on St. Anthony’s School.
    “We’re going to continue to monitor it, now that we’re getting into spring and summer,” said Staff Sergeant Hopkins. “There may be a little more pedestrian traffic and we’ll make changes when necessary.”