Heavy black smoke and visible flames rising from Kam’s Industrial Park prompted a large multi-agency fire response in the Blackfoot Industrial District Tuesday morning.

Tones were initially dispatched to Blackfoot Fire and Rescue for a reported structure fire. Due to the intensity of the fire, an immediate second alarm was struck, bringing in extensive mutual aid from across the region.

Multiple Departments and Second Alarm Response

Responding agencies included:

• Kitscoty Fire Department with a county pumper and tanker
• Paradise Valley Fire Department with a county tanker
• Islay Fire with a county pumper
• Marwayne Fire with a county tanker
• Two county command units

The Kitscoty RCMP detachment and ATCO were also dispatched. Alberta 511 issued an alert warning motorists of poor visibility on Highway 16 due to smoke.

Aggressive Fire Attack and Rural Water Shuttle

Upon arrival, firefighters launched aggressive attacks on the seat of the fire using multiple handlines while simultaneously working to protect nearby exposures.

Additional apparatus were deployed to establish a rural water shuttle, supported by county tankers to maintain continuous water supply operations.

At the height of the incident, seven county fire apparatus and 31 firefighters were actively engaged on the fireground. Crews from neighbouring stations remained on standby to ensure coverage for other emergency calls.

 

Fire Extinguished Before 1 p.m.

At approximately 12:55 p.m., Blackfoot Fire Chief John McGerrigle, serving as Incident Commander, confirmed the fire had been extinguished. All responding crews were cleared from the scene and returned to their respective stations.

 

Investigation Ongoing

The scene has since been turned over to the property owners. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however officials have confirmed it is not considered suspicious.

Fire officials extended thanks to staff and volunteers for their rapid response, the professionalism of all first responders, EC911 dispatchers, and company representatives for their cooperation during the incident.