Crews respond to fire caused by high winds

By Rob Vogt
Local Press Writer
An emergency alert went off in the early morning hours of Dec. 1, warning people they may need to evacuate in the area four kilometres south of Highway 533 west ino the hills.
The alert was triggered after a grass fire broke out, said Kelly Starling, manager of emergency services for the Municipal District of Willow Creek as well as the M.D. of Ranchland, where the fire took place.
It was about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, when 911 was notified of the fire.
Initial reports were that it was fast moving and there were high winds.
Starling initially dispatched the Agriculture/Forestry, Nanton, Claresholm and Stavely fire departments as well as those from the Crowsnest Pass and Foothills County.
Local land owners also responded with their own tanks and equipment.
The reason for triggering mutual aid and calling in these fire departments was to ensure that, while the crews were
attacking the grass fire, the communities were still covered in case something else happened.
With the high winds, that was possible.
Based on the information on scene and what was
received from 911, it was decided to trigger the emergency alert.
An emergency evacuation centre in Nanton was also activated for evacuees, although in the end it was not needed.
Starling said when they arrived on scene an estimated 50 hectares, or 123.5 acres, was on fire and with it growing.
However, within two or so hours crews were able to hold the fire.
Ag/Forestry continued in the area bucketing water with a helicopter until the fire was considered under control. Crews stayed about a week after as well dealing with any hot spots and flare-ups that arose.
Starling said anyone seeking the most up-to-date information on fires in that area can find it on Agriculture/Forestry platforms, where it can be seen in real time.
That can be accessed by visiting wildfire.alberta.ca then clicking on “Wildfire status map”.