CALGARY – Firefighters are working to determine what sparked a wildfire northeast of the hamlet of Blackie, Alberta on Tuesday, and issued a burning ban on all open fires as of 9:10 a.m. Wednesday morning.
A large grass fire started around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and spread quickly, eventually covering more than one and a half kilometres in length and width.
The Municipal District of Foothills declared a local state of emergency at 5:45 p.m. By 7:40 p.m. the grass fire was under control, and the state of emergency was declared over as of 11:45 a.m. Wednesday morning.
One firefighter was taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation, but is said to be in good condition.
No homes, buildings or animals were affected by the blaze.
The Wednesday fire ban includes burning barrels, fireworks and any outdoor fires that don’t require fire permits in the M.D. of Foothills and the village of Longview.
“This ban will be in effect until all areas in the M.D. of Foothills and the Village of Longview receive substantial moisture and approval is received to lift the fire ban,” said M.D. of Foothills Fire Chief Jim Smith in a release.
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