The Saskatchewan government is urging residents and farmers to take extra precaution to prevent wildfires this spring during the COVID-19 pandemic

The acting vice president of operations for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Steve Roberts, is urging farmers to practice safe burning and follow all fire bans.

Roberts says pre-notifying his office about a controlled burn will prevent accidental dispatch of a fire crew to the scene.

So far, Roberts says the fire hazard rating is low but warm dry weather raises the threat quickly.