A large grass fire in the Biggar area has been going on since noon yesterday,

Heavy winds and dry conditions have allowed the fire to grow rapidly. A large number of resources have been committed to the area and three out of four flanks have been contained.

“We are sending an observation aircraft into the area that will map this,” said provincial fire commissioner Duane McKay on a conference call with media earlier today. “Typically from those photos we’ll receive we’ll find, based on the original wind direction, we’ll find the point of origin. At that particular point, we’ll find out what the cause is.”

There is one area of particular concern remaining from the fire.

“What’s hampering us now is a change in wind conditions, and we’re assessing what that might do in terms of increasing the risk.”

As of this afternoon, the community of Biggar is still in a state of emergency.

Most of the south central part of the province is at high risk for fire, everyone is encouraged not to use fire in any way until the conditions change, and to call 911 if they encounter a fire.