While prescribed fires are part of Meewasin Valley Authority’s overall plan to conserve natural areas as well as native plants and animals, an uncontrolled fire in the Northeast Swale is being investigated by a fire investigator and Saskatoon Police.

The MVA says the fire department got a call last night about someone burning garbage. Information from the fire investigator was turned over to the police and the MVA says arson charges could be considered if they can identify who was responsible.

Meewasin officials say they have very strict conditions for prescribed fire activities and recent wind and dry conditions means even a prescribed fire would be hazardous.

As well they say the prescribed fire process takes months, at the least, to plan and ideal conditions include moderate humidity, lower temperatures and low winds from a consistent direction to blow smoke away from neighbourhoods and roads.