Smoke from a nearby fire is seen from Highway 378 Thursday evening. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

FAST ACTING FLAMES

No injuries, no structures damaged in Moosomin grass fire

Apr 26, 2019 | 5:00 PM

It took nearly seven hours for crews to contain a fire that broke out on the Moosomin First Nation Thursday.

Volunteer firefighter Iver Swiftwolfe said the fire was first reported by a band member shortly after 6 a.m. on her way to work. She asked people to come help as it was spreading fast.

As the day wore on, he said high winds fanned the flames and it suddenly took off.

The fire started on the north side of Moosomin and the wind initially pushed it southward but changed direction later in the day and shoved the flames east.

Moose Kebab

Lost, found and full of flavour: Moose Kebab and Shawarma a new family tradition

10h ago

Weapons at school

Weapons found in Dillon school yard

13h ago

Missing woman

RCMP seek assistance in locating missing woman last heard from three to five years ago

15h ago

The Saulteaux First Nation fire department was called in for assistance, but when the flames jumped the creek, entered the abutting rural municipality and the winds picked up, provincial fire teams were asked for help.

Swiftwolfe said around 7 p.m., crews had the fire contained. No one was injured and while the fire did encroach on a few pastures, he said three ground groups were instrumental in protecting them so no structures were lost and minimal other damage occurred.

A large fire a few years ago burned for about three days on the First Nation, but Swiftwolfe said fast work and improvements in the department ensured Thursday’s fire did not get out of control, despite the high winds.

“Radio communication was really key in making it a lot easier to tackle,” Swiftwolfe said. “It wasn’t an overnight thing for us like we are used to as we were able to tackle it within a few hours.”

The Moosomin fire department remains on standby in case anything flares up.

—

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr