WESTLOCK – An out-of-control April 30 wildfire in the Highridge area threatened at least five homes and forced the temporary evacuation of a handful of residents, while others were placed on 15-minutes notice they might need to flee the area.
Westlock RCMP Detachment acting commander Cpl. Riley Sutherland said it was all hands on deck following the Sunday-afternoon fire call from the area of Township Road 592 and Range Road 15 that initially went to Barrhead RCMP Detachment. In the hours following the call that came in before noon, Westlock County firefighters were joined by members from Barrhead County — Sutherland estimated at least 30 to 40 firefighters were on scene — while local RCMP officers from Barrhead, Westlock and the Traffic Services division were joined by members from the Morinville, Boyle, Redwater and St. Albert detachments along with Alberta Sheriffs and Fish and Wildlife officers to help block off roads and do the evacuation notifications. On scene, the fire tore through brush and grass in the southwest corner of Westlock County, just west of Range Road 14 and north of Township Road 592 (Highway 654).
By 4:15 p.m., Westlock County Fire Services declared the blaze was being held and by 5:30 p.m. the evacuation order had been lifted. Sutherland, who noted the 1:52 p.m. evacuation order for residents living around Township Road 592 and 594 and Range Road 15 and 24 came from Westlock County Fire Services in conjunction with county brass, confirmed that there were no injuries or homes lost, although she didn’t know if any other property was lost due to the fire.
“It’s possible that it was started by a holdover fire from winter permits for a brush pile,” said Sutherland May 1. “The firefighters did excellent work.”
Crews were busy all week
County crews responded last Monday afternoon, April 24, to a grass fire east of the Village of Clyde adjacent to Highway 18. County manager of protective services John Biro said three fire stations were on scene due to the wind conditions and the location of the blaze, which was caused by a burn barrel whose sparks set the nearby grass ablaze. He said the fire spread quickly across the yard, to a pasture to the west and then into the bush about 300 feet before crews brought it under control.
Thanks to their quick action, the fire spread over a relatively small area — Biro said that if it had gotten away, it could have spread through the dry brush and grass to the west and north.
“Several hose lines had to be deployed from the bush edge to catch the fire before it spread north into an isolated field loaded with heavy grass vegetation that would have made it very difficult to control or contain. It’s a very tough job dragging a hose line through a bush filled with smoke, fire, and many obstacles,” Biro stated.
The burn barrel was a factor in this fire and Biro said, “Like any other year, people need to check and follow the Alberta Fire Bans website or contact the municipality directly for information before you ignite.”
And he also noted that restrictions and bans can change as conditions change. A second grass fire on the outskirts of Fawcett April 26 had crews scrambling once again, although no specific details were given and it was extinguished quickly.
“People need to realize restrictions and bans are not like a light switch that we turn on or off. Don’t expect just because we had a few days of rain the restrictions or bans will be lifted. All it takes is a day or two of nice weather and we will be high fire risk again,” he added.
Fire ban in place
At noon, May, 1, Westlock County issued a complete fire ban which prohibits any open fires which includes all recreational fires on private and public lands, burn barrels, fireworks, exploding targets, and charcoal briquette barbeques — propane or natural gas-powered appliances for cooking and warming purposes are permitted.
All existing fire permits are suspended, or cancelled, no new permits will be issued and any fires presently burning must be extinguished. Anyone who has conducted open burning during the winter is reminded to check their burn site to ensure piles are completely extinguished to reduce the risk of a spring holdover fire.
Currently prohibited are target shooting for recreational purposes and operation of any off-highway vehicle for recreational purposes on all public land located within Westlock County.
The order does not apply to the use of any off-highway vehicle on private lands or by any individual when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement or when travelling to a location to exercise such a right.
Residents who live or travel in the forest fire protection area zone 44 must adhere to provincial ban and refer to Alberta Fire Control Zone Map here.
