A County firefighter finds a sprinkler to cool off at, after fighting one of three fires in the County Tuesday afternoon amid record breaking temperatures (Photo: County of Grande Prairie)

By Shaun Penner

Battling flames and heat

County firefighters respond to three fires in extreme heat Tuesday

Jun 29, 2021 | 6:57 PM

County of Grande Prairie firefighters fought through extreme heat to battle three fires Tuesday afternoon.

The first fire was reported at around 1 p.m. June 29, where firefighters from Teepee Creek, Clairmont, Bezanson, Wembley, and Dunes stations were called to a structure fire near Range Road 40 and Township Road 730.

There it was discovered a burn barrel had started a grass fire, which in turn ignited two outbuildings and a vehicle.

The fire was quickly brought under control, and crews remained on scene for approximately an hour and a half.

While crews attended that call, an additional grass fire was called in at around 1:39 p.m. near Highway 43 and Range Road 43. Crews from Teepee Creek, Clairmont and Sexsmith responded to and extinguished an approximately half hectare grass fire.

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Crews says that fire was accidently started by haying equipment striking a rock.

Then at around 3:30 p.m., Teepee Creek and Bezanson crews were notified of a side by side that had caught on fire, which turned into a grass fire on the Kleskun Creek Grazing Reserve.

Crews remain on scene mopping up this blaze.

Deputy Fire Chief Jason Nesbitt says with the extreme heat pounding the area, these calls pose a danger to his firefighters.

“The current outside temperature of +41 is extremely hard on our firefighters as they must still wear all their personal protective in this heat. As a result, more firefighters must be called to assist so members can have proper work / rest cycles to cool down.”

He reminds residents a fire restriction is in effect, while a Red Flag Warning has also been issued for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

Under a restriction, existing fire permits are suspended and all outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer. Wood campfires on public land are also prohibited.

Campfires in approved and permitted recreational fire pits in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed.