On Thursday, April 24, in the afternoon, Drumheller RCMP, EMS, and Drumheller Fire and Rescue were called to an accident scene just atop the Drumheller Valley along the Verdant Valley Road (Highway 576).
Initial reports were it was an individual on a motorcycle. Fire Chief Derian Rosario provides the details. “The fellow was coming towards town on the Verdant Valley Road and for some reason, he lost control of his motorcycle and ended up in the ditch. The motorcycle itself started a small grass fire around him, which got to be quite large. He was under the care of EMS and was not in jeopardy due to the fire. We extinguished the fire, got him cared for, and as far as I know he is under medical care, as we speak.”
Weather conditions at the time helped fuel the fire according to Rosario. “It was just outside of the Drumheller boundary, in Starland County. The wind was getting up pretty good so all the dry cured fuels on top burned quite well. (The fire) ended probably four to five acres by the time we were done.”
Even with the snow cover and little bit of moisture the area has seen, Rosario confirms that we continue to deal with dry conditions. “It’s quite dry on top. We have had a bit of rain and it is greening up nicely but still there is some leftover fine cured fuels from last year. As we go through (the spring), hopefully we get a little more rain, green things right up, and make the valley as beautiful as always.”
Rosario also reminds motorcyclists that area roads continue to have gravel areas from the materials put on the roads through the winter. Please take care while out for a ride.
Comments