The Fire Chief for Hanover says they are expecting an active grass fire season.

Paul Wiebe says with the lack of precipitation this winter, and the very little amount of snow that remains, the start of grass fire season could be just around the corner.

"There is a very good possibility that it could start in the next week or two," suggests Wiebe. "And of course that could make for a pretty long season."

Wiebe notes some timely rains could ease the threat.

"I guess we'll see what kind of rains we get in the next few weeks," says Wiebe. "Hopefully, we'll get some good springtime rains and that will help ease the situation quite a bit."

There is not yet a burn ban in the Rural Municipality of Hanover. In fact, Wiebe admits that Hanover is typically one of the last municipalities to issue one.

"We like to wait," he says. "We don't like to implement burning bans and fire bans if we don't need to."

When deciding on a burn ban, Wiebe says they look at how dry the conditions are and then the available fuel out there. They also make their decision based on how people are treating the conditions, especially if more and more fires are burning out of control.

"Then we will be forced to implement a fire ban," says Wiebe. "Of course that's not something we like to do, but we will do it if we have to."

Meanwhile, Wiebe says the early thaw means people could soon be out on their yards cleaning up for spring. He reminds Hanover residents that burning within urban centres and rural residential neighbourhoods is prohibited outside of an approved fire pit.