A fire that started in grass on a farm between Delacour and Conrich March 29 eventually destroyed two outbuildings and some farm equipment before crews could get it under control.
The blaze started just after 12:30 p.m. on a rural property on Range Road 281 between Highway 564 and Township Road 252.
“It came in as a grassfire. It was at least two hectares in size,” said Rocky View County Fire Services (RVCFS) Deputy Fire Chief Monty Armstrong. “We were able to protect his residences. It burned around the property like a horseshoe.”
Armstrong said at the peak of the fire there were 35 firefighters from RVCFS, including Beiseker, Balzac, Crossfield and Langdon as well as crews from Airdrie and Chestermere on scene. Two engines, three bush buggies and seven water tenders were required to fight the blaze.
A motorist passing by the area noticed the fire and made the call to RVCFS. One person was home at the time – the farmer’s wife – and got out safely. Armstrong said there were no injuries. Hay is grown on the property and there were no farm animals on the premises.
Armstrong said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, including whether or not a spark from nearby train tracks could be the culprit.
Rocky View County is currently under a fire advisory, and Armstrong said dry, windy weather conditions increase the chance of a grassfire.
“The grass is really, really dry, so sparks from a train or really any other ignition could cause (a fire). If a little bit of heat gets into the grass, and with the wind, a fire can take off and spread quite quickly,” he said.
Under a fire advisory, fires in a pit or permitted burn barrels are allowed but open land clearing is prohibited, according to Armstrong.
“It’s been that way for at least two or three weeks,” he said. “It will probably be that way until we get to (when planting begins) with the land, so probably several weeks. This is probably the earliest we’ve ever put a fire advisory in place.”
