The Okotoks Fire Department were kept on their toes last week responding to numerous calls in the area.

Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says last week was one of the busier weeks so far this year.

"We had 23 responses out of those we attended ten medical calls, one fire response, two public hazards, five alarm system activations, one public service , one complaint and three motor vehicle accidents," he says.

Thevenot says with that increase in calls from prior weeks, the department has now responded to more calls this year than last year at this time.

"We're at 120 to date and at this point last year we were at 118 in 2015."

Thevenot once again says that with the warm weather drying up the ground it's important for residents to remember their surroundings if smoking and refrain from going near storm retention ponds.

"I still am concerned with the fields and grass drying up that potentially we could have some grass fires we haven't had any yet to date but people should be aware of discarding smoking material, and I'd like to remind folks to stay off of storm retention ponds as they are not safe to walk or skate on."

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