It might be hard to remember right now with minus 40 degree temperatures, but it wasn't that long ago when almost all of southern Saskatchewan was under a fire ban due to extremely dry conditions.

Coming in at #7 for our Top Stories of 2017 was the dry summer and the large number of fire bans that spread across the province. 

Drought-like conditions posed various risks that sparked wildfires in rural areas, and in residential locations from the ground shifting and pulling on lines that lead to power boxes. 

Back in September we talked to the Chief of the Fire Department, Rod Montgomery, who said they were watching the situation closely. 

"We are continuing to see dry, warm weather and starting to see some stronger winds," said Montgomery. 

He said that firefighters were happy to have their newest fire truck that was added to the fleet recently that is more ideal to combat rural fires and carries compressed foam. 

Keep following along to see the rest of our top stories of 2017 as we get closer to the end of the year.