High winds, dry conditions contribute to large bale stack fire south of Stirling

Westwind Weekly News Photo Submitted. STIRLING STACK FIRE: The Coaldale Fire Department was one of several mutual aid partners called in last week to help with a large bale stack fire south of the Village of Stirling on Jan. 6.

By Kristine Jean
Southern Alberta Newspapers

High winds and dry conditions may have contributed to a large bale stack fire south of the Village of Stirling on Jan. 6, that required mutual aid partners to get under control.    

The Stirling Fire Department first responded to a report of an outside fire about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, at Range Road 194 and Township Road 60. 

It was the second fire at the same property within a week. The first fire on Jan. 2 was contained and winds were not as big a factor at the time.   

“Fire crews initiated an aggressive attack to slow the blaze, but with wind conditions not in our favour, additional mutual aid partners were quickly requested,” said Village of Stirling Fire Chief Nicole Mrak, noting they were grateful for the assistance from mutual aid fire departments from Coaldale, Magrath, Raymond and Wrentham, along with the Wolf Creek Colony and Deerfield Colony, who also assisted in providing much-needed water. “Our crew performed exceptionally well under challenging wind conditions to contain this fire and prevent further spread.” 

Initial mutual aid partners were requested when the Stirling Fire Department was first notified of the fire, with local units arriving to find the large bale stack, used for feed containment, partially engulfed in flames, noted Mrak. 

Firefighters worked “very long and exhausting hours” to control the fire, contain what was burning and avoid spread, she noted.   

While the fire department has responded to stack fires in the past, said Mrak, it hasn’t dealt with one of this size locally in several years.  

“The mild weather and lack of moisture through this winter (and) dry conditions have been an ongoing concern for most regions,” said Mrak, noting that includes the Village of Stirling and outlying area. “When added with southern Alberta wind, the potential for quick spread of fire is very (high) when out in the open, rural areas especially.”   

Mrak said as the region experiences more frequent, drier winters, they may start seeing “more of a spike in these types of fires and potentially in wild land fires” at this usually quiet time of year, for such fires.