Southern Alberta municipalities say emergency preparedness critical [Video]

A flash of lightning, a spark from a trailer, a cigarette tossed from a window — these are all potential igniters for a wildfire that can spiral out of control in mere seconds.

This is Emergency Preparedness Week and several municipalities in southern Alberta are reminding residents to be ready for anything.

“You never know when you might be evacuated and be gone for a few days,” said Clayton Rutberg, the fire chief and director of protective services with the Town of Coaldale.

While the landlocked Lethbridge region is safe from hurricanes and tsunamis, dangers like tornadoes, wildfires, blizzards and other extreme weather events can create a sudden and severe emergency.

“There’s a lot of research that has shown Alberta’s residents aren’t as prepared as they should be for emergencies,” said Breea Tamminga, coordinator of emergency management with Lethbridge County.

Even man-made disasters could strike in a heartbeat. The Town of Coaldale conducted a simulated …