INNISFAIL – Firefighters from Innisfail and Red Deer County were called early in the morning of April 10 to engage a ground fire in a field at the far west end of town.
“The fire started with a power pole on the land just north of us and spread quickly,” said one nearby resident on a Facebook post. “Thanks to those that called the firemen. Fire trucks arrived quickly and despite difficulties in getting into the back of our place, they did an amazing job of tackling the flames.
“We were very impressed with their organization and their hard work,” added the resident. “Soaking wet, their suits were covered with ice crystals by the time they were done.”
Innisfail Fire Department Chief Gary Leith said the call came in early Sunday morning (April 10) shortly after 12:30 a.m. He said the fire started on the west side of Highway 54 close to the new Bella Vista subdivision.
“We received assistance from Red Deer County for that call as it was such a large fire,” said Leith, adding there was 15 firefighters on the scene to battle the blaze. “It would appear that a power pole had arched, causing a ground fire.
“That ground fire spread due to the high winds to a bush pile. It was fairly widespread,” he said, adding the ground fire at its height spread over “several” acres. “Once it got into that bush pile it took a significant amount of work to extinguish it.”
Leith said firefighters were forced to call in a contractor - Innisfail’s Howell's Excavating – to help contain the blaze.
He said the ground fire did not cause any injuries or harm to any citizen, nor did it cause damage to any structures.
“The property was threatened but (firefighters) were able to stop the fire before it impacted any structures,” said Leith.
Leith said crews were on scene until 7 a.m. in the morning, but firefighters did return later to successfully deal with some lingering hot spots.
