FortSask

We now know the cause of a couple of wildfires that started last week.

When the fires threatened homes in the area on Friday (May 5), an evacuation order was placed for two areas of Strathcona County.  

The next day, residents were told that they could return to their homes as both fires were put under control.

The county says the cause of both fires was unintentional human activity. 

A fire has broken out just outside of Fort Saskatchewan.

According to the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department, they received reports of a vehicle on fire by Range Road 222 along the road to Josephburg.

By the time fire crews arrived, the fire had spread to the nearby grass. Firefighters are currently at work to put out the blaze.

Strathcona County firefighters are also on the scene.

More to come...

Due to warmer-than-usual temperatures, the Kin Family Spray Park opened early this year.

The spray park, which runs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is located at the intersection of 95A Avenue and Westpark Drive

The park features animal-themed spray equipment with free admission. There are also washrooms and picnic tables on-site.

"We do realize that when the weather gets warm the Public gets very excited to use this well-attracted amenity that the city has," said Chris Enders, manager of fleet & facilities services.

There's been an update on the fire near Redwater.

On Thursday evening (May 4), fire crews were on the scene of Township Road 575 and Range Road 215 near the Redwater transfer station.

Diane Pysmeny with the Town of Redwater says that crews had gotten the fire under control overnight.

"We're just asking people to avoid the area and let the crews continue to work on the fire,"

Although the fire has been contained, Range Road 215 has been closed between Township Road 580 and 54 Avenue as crews continue to put out what's left of the fire.

It's almost that time of year again for the Fort Saskatchewan Farmers' Market.

Hosted by the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the Farmers' Market takes place every Thursday in the parking lot of the CN station.

"Our first market is June 8," said Erin Brewer with the Chamber of Commerce. "It runs until September 14."

There are expected to be at least 80 vendors at this year's market, which sounds like a lot but is a standard turnout.

"Our markets are super popular, so people always want to be a part of them," added Brewer.

A man from Fort Saskatchewan is wanted for alleged mail theft.

In late April, Redwater RCMP received a report of a break and enter to a post office in Radway. RCMP report that an investigation revealed that suspects had broken into the post office and stole items.

Police say that one of the suspects has been identified as 24-year-old Jaden Simpson from Fort Saskatchewan. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for the following charges:

Statistics Canada has released its new seeding intentions report for May 2023, as the seeding season is set to start for farmers.

The info presented includes how much of any one crop will be planted this year, comparing that to previous years.

The Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department has given some more details regarding Friday (May 5) morning's fire on Boxwood Bend and Acadian Wynd. 

Fire chief Todd Martens revealed that the department got the call at about 1 a.m. and had 13 firefighters, including some from Strathcona County, on the scene to fight the blaze. 

"We initially responded with our full-time engine and a call out for paid-on-call staff," said Martens. "The fire was under control around 6:30 a.m., about five hours it took for us to extinguish it." 

CN rail is seeing grain transportation numbers slowing as temperatures are getting warmer and some farmers beginning seeding.

That's the outlook of the Assistant Vice President of Grain from CN Rail David Przednowek.

A fundraiser has been set up to support the victims of an overnight fire on Boxwood Bend on Friday (May 5). 

The fire completely destroyed three houses while also damaging the side of another. 

As a show of support, the Fort Falcons football club organized a GoFundMe to help out the families affected by the tragedy. 

"My coaching director was just down the street and recognized right away that one of the families that was affected was another board member of ours," said Lawrence McMath, the president of Fort Saskatchewan minor football.