Title Image
Image
Caption
Crews from Austin and Carberry Fire Departments battled the blaze into the early morning hours, tackling hot spots deep in the bush. Facebook/Austin Fire Department
Portal
Title Image Caption
Crews from Austin and Carberry Fire Departments battled the blaze into the early morning hours, tackling hot spots deep in the bush. Facebook/Austin Fire Department
Categories

A fast-moving grass fire south of the Trans-Canada Highway near Road 72W kept fire crews from Austin and Carberry busy from Saturday afternoon into the early hours of Sunday morning.

According to a social media post by the Austin Fire Department, the call came in around 3 p.m. on Saturday. Smoke was already visible while crews were en route to the scene.

Firefighters arrived to find an open pasture surrounded by brush burning out of control.

Two firefighters in red suits with "Austin Fire Dept" on the back walk through scorched brush, carrying rakes and water tanks for fire suppression.
Austin Fire Department members return Sunday morning to check for hotspots and prevent any flare-ups. Facebook/Austin Fire Department

“Firefighters arriving on scene found an open pasture surrounded by brush land burning and spreading rapidly due to the wind,” notes the department.

Despite launching a strong wildland attack, the fire continued to spread.

“While a strong wildland attack was initiated, the fire grew to the point where it was unable to be contained,” says the department.

Mutual aid was requested, and Carberry Fire responded with additional firefighters, water supply, and equipment. The battle continued well past nightfall.

“It was a long, drawn-out battle, ultimately going into the early hours of the morning,” adds the department. “Once the majority of the fire was knocked down, fire fighters combed the bush for hotspots and potential reignition sites.”

A firefighter in red protective gear sprays water onto smouldering brush along a rural road, with heavy smoke in the air and forest in the background.
A member of the Austin Fire Department works to contain a fast-moving grass fire near Road 72W on Saturday afternoon. Facebook/Austin Fire Department

Crews returned to the Austin fire hall at 1:40 a.m. but were back out the next morning to evaluate the area and ensure there were no flare-ups.

The department issued a public thank-you for the assistance.

“We would like to give a big thank you to Carberry Fire, Riverbend Hutterite Colony, King Spud, the bulldozer operator, and local home/land owners for their help in bringing this fire to an end!” remarks the department.


Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com.

PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.

Portal