Vermilion Protective Services fights “one of the largest fires in recent memory”

One of the largest fires in recent memory, encompassing some 335 acres, erupted April 27 shortly before 2:30 p.m. just east of the Village of Marwayne along Marwayne Creek.

A rapidly moving brush fire sent dense thick smoke billowing in the air which was visible from as far away as Lloydminster.

Initial dispatch sent Marwayne Fire out with County & Village Pumpers, Command, and County Tanker. Despite this serious amount of firepower, a 2nd alarm was struck quickly for additional units from Dewberry Fire & Rescue and Clandonald Fire.

2x additional Pumpers were brought to bear, backed up by 2x Tankers and a wildland/side-by-side. Crews began to tackle the leading edges of multiple fires which had spread over numerous directions. As the fire moved east it entangled itself in a significant thick growth of trees on the upside of a ravine that lead towards the river coulee.

Working alongside firefighters were employees of NuWave Industries who saw the smoke originally and dropped what they were doing to help stop the fire. Our hats off to their crews.

As the fire continued to gain ground, tones were dropped to Islay Fire for Wildland #3-4 and to County #9-1 (Chief Hughes). A Voyent Alert was issued and a Peace Officer was dispatched for traffic control.

As County graders from Public Works and nearby farmers with heavy equipment created fire breaks, a request was sent to Vermilion Fire & Rescue Society for their aerial drone to assist in tracking the “fingers” of the fire and to find any hidden hotspots.

Working with this technology, crews were able to locate the hidden fire and penetrate the thick bush to extinguish the head of the fire.

By 7 p.m., and after 5 hours of firefighting, the fire was under control and crews could begin the second phase of the operation – double checking the area and working to put out any spot fires that may have escaped the initial attack.

By 9:15 p.m., Chief Ron Miske reported the fire had been extinguished and all crews began releasing from the scene to return to their halls for cleanup.

At the peak of this fire, there was:

Special thanks to NuWave, EC911 Dispatch, our Protective Services Clerk for the behind-the-scenes work, County of Vermilion River Public Works for the barricades, Vermilion Fire (for responding to another reported grass fire in the North District), the folks that brought out sandwiches, neighbors, farmers, and our volunteers for answering the call.

The fire’s cause is still under investigation but is not considered suspicious.