ESTEVAN - Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service were called to a large wildland fire on Saturday afternoon.
The fire occurred north of the city in the RM of Estevan.
"When crews arrived on scene, there was a fairly large fire that was burning out of control with local farmers trying to keep it at bay with some double dicers," Feser said.
It took firefighters about four hours to get into the field, bring the fire under control and extinguish it.
The fire was a result of a previously reported controlled burn, which occurred a couple of days earlier. The wind whipped up some smouldering embers and spread it over to a neighbouring field, starting vegetation on fire. The fire was approximately 1 1/2 kilometres in length and half a kilometre wide.
Fire crews were able to bring it under control and suppress it before it hopped the road and endangered neighbouring farms.
"We were very fortunate to make sure that everybody was safe around. And we thank the farmers for their assistance in keeping the fire under control that day until we could extinguish it," Feser said.
"Just a reminder, make sure that even though it's starting to get colder out there, fires can reignite in extremely windy conditions even after a couple of days. So even if you had a reported controlled burn and it looks like all the material was done, you want to make sure that you check on it for a couple of days after and ensure that there are no embers that may stir up and start another fire."
Last Wednesday at about 8 p.m., fire crews also responded to a residential fire alarm that went off in the north-central area of the city. Upon arrival, it was found that the cause was from cooking supper.
"There wasn't enough smoke in the building to work any ventilation. Crews turned the scene back over to the homeowner with a warning about the notification procedures, making sure the homeowner's the primary contact and returned to the fire station," Feser said.
On the weekend the Estevan fire department also hosted practical skill testing for professional certification. Ten firefighters from Estevan and Weyburn partook in two days of intensive training.
The weekend saw firefighters showcase their skill sets in front of a group of evaluators. Firefighters performed vertical and horizontal roof ventilation of a smoke house, vehicle firefighting and vehicle extrication. They also safely laddered buildings, completed a series of ropes and knots to raise and lower tools that are required above or below grade, conducted search and rescue drills and mayday and alarm drills. Feser said they practised pretty much every aspect of the fire service that one can imagine.
"They have to possess those skill sets and show proficiency to get their final sign-offs and get their journeyman status if you will in the fire service," Feser said. "It was a great weekend of training, and we're very proud to announce that all candidates are successful."
