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Grass fire ignites in Foothills County near Okotoks

Fire crews remain on scene actively fighting a large grass fire southeast of Okotoks.

A large grass fire is burning in a field southeast of Okotoks.

Crews were called just before 1 p.m. on Aug 29 for a fire in a stubble field off of 418 Avenue and 48 Street East in Foothills County.

Initial reports estimated the fire was one to two acres in size but it appears to have grown since then and smoke is drifting into Okotoks.

Multiple fire departments are responding to the blaze.

Traffic is restricted in the area as crews respond.

More information will be added as it become available.

UPDATE: Okotoks Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Colin Sager said structures were threatened by the fire but they have not been damaged.

Fire crews continue to actively fight "a large grassfire" and the situation is ongoing, Sager said.

He estimated the area burned is roughly a kilometre square. 

Firefighters are making progress but the fire is not yet under control.

There is no word on the cause at this time.

Wade McLeod's mother lives on an acreage in the area and he was on the scene as fire crews staged on the property.

"The fire department did a hell of a job," McLeod said.

Crews were joined by area residents and farmers who brought water tanks and equipment to help protect homes and stop the spread of the fast moving fire, he said.

Water tankers are travelling into Okotoks to replenish their water supply from a hydrant near Costco.

Firefighters from Okotoks, Diamond Valley and High River responded to the fire, and Sager said they will be there for several hours at least.

 

 


Robert Korotyszyn

About the Author: Robert Korotyszyn

Robert Korotyszyn covers Okotoks and Foothills County news for WesternWheel.ca and the Western Wheel newspaper. For story tips contact [email protected]
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