The 2 extensive grass fires on Sunday didn't just cause a large amount of stress on the Moose Jaw Fire Department and Police Service, but on a number of farmers, livestock producers and residents who had the fire southwest of Moose Jaw crawling toward their doorstep.
Doyle McMorris lost his house to a fire three years ago, and on Sunday, thought it might happen again.
"I was in my garage and saw the fire by P&H, then I came back out and saw the one on the west side of my place, we were the first two there. My friend was with me and he was actually the guy that was at my house and saved the kids and everything [during the fire three years ago]. We went over there and did everything we could do, and before we knew it there were trucks, water trucks, people, firefighters and police. It was absolutely amazing.
McMorris lives on River Street west and said the high winds lead to the fire spreading incredibly quickly. He went on to say the fire got within 30 feet of a livestock area, and that residents in loaders dug up the dirt and created a berm to stop the spread, as fire trucks were unable to get into the area.
"I was pretty scared. Especially after dealing with what I did three years ago and then having it that close, probably about 150 yards, which is a little ways away but still."
"A big thanks to everybody that came out and helped, the firefighters and police blocking traffic, all the people that brought their machinery to get it stopped. We all had all hands on deck doing everything we could. All their trucks and everything definitely helped, as well as everyone who joined in and stopped it from being much worse than it could have been."
While the cause of both fires is still under investigation, McMorris stressed at how dry the land is right now, and how important it is for smokers to responsibly put out cigarette butts.
To read more about Sundays fires, and to see a photo gallery, you can click here.
Thu, Apr 18, 7:00 PM
Part-time, Administrative
Featured
