There's been a big jump in the number of grass fires around the area over the last couple of weeks.

High River Fire Department Deputy Chief Trevor Allan says there's one big culprit.

"At this time of year, everything is tinder dry. We're coming off a winter season with very little snow cover and so we don't have that moisture that we usually have with a good winter. So, we're seeing a lot of these grass fires popping up and nine times out of 10, the cause is a careless discarding of smoking materials."

Allan says it's not just farmland or prairie grassland they have to worry about, but green spaces in Town as well.

"We have numerous green spaces within the Town of High River, Okotoks is another good example. We have to be very vigilant with the residents of the community, and let them know they discard of smoking materials appropriately. Just when they're out walking or recreating in these areas. Keeping an eye out for anything that is a potential hazard and reporting that up the line to the fire service."

Allan says we've been lucky the grass fire season hasn't been worse, as most of the region has been bone dry and clear of snow almost all winter.