A state of emergency was in effect in the County of Lethbridge Nov. 28 after a grass fire burned several hundred acres of land and threatened the outskirts of Lethbridge and the town of Coalhurst the previous day.
The fire started Nov. 27 on the Blood Indian Reserve west of Lethbridge and was whipped by winds ranging from 120 to 140 km/h. Cause of the blaze was unknown at press time and is under investigation.
About 100 county residents were evacuated from their homes near Coalhurst, Alta., before the fire was brought under control shortly after 8 p.m., when winds abated.
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Residents were allowed to return home around noon Nov. 28, while fire and electrical crews continued to deal with downed power lines and hot spots.
Grass fires also raged in the County of Warner in areas near New Dayton and Stirling. As of Nov. 28, fire crews were still extinguishing hot spots. An update on fire status and damage was scheduled late in the day Nov. 28 afterWestern Producerdeadlines.
Fence damage was reported but no farm buildings or livestock were thought to be lost as of press time.
“We are fortunate that this emergency was handled in a timely manner,” said County of Lethbridge reeve Lorne Hickey.
“We want to thank our police and fire crews for their hard work and dedication and the community for their patience and understanding.”
Hickey said no homes were lost in the fire but some corrals and outbuildings burned.
Fire crews from several towns surrounding Lethbridge responded to the blaze. They were hampered by strong winds that affected much of southern Alberta.
Wind damage was reported from Calgary to High River, Claresholm, Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, Coalhurst and Lethbridge.
Trucks were warned Nov. 27 to stay off north-south highways in the region, but several were overturned in area ditches because of strong winds.
