Four members of the St. Brieux Fire Department travelled northwest this past week to assist with the Lock fire near Buffalo Narrows. (Facebook/St. Brieux Fire Department)

By Becky Zimmer

Answering the call

St. Brieux Fire answers call to assist with Lock fire

Jul 23, 2021 | 3:51 PM

The St. Brieux Fire Department doesn’t see many forest fires in an area full of grass and cropland.

Four members of the team travelled with one of their trucks to assist with the Lock fire near Buffalo Narrows this past week, going up on July 17 and returning on July 21.

Since the department faces different types of emergencies in their everyday life, fire chief Lee Brockman told northeastNOW only ones with wildland courses, one specifically designed to address fighting wildfires, were allowed to go. That didn’t stop more inexperienced members from answering the text when Brockman asked who was interested.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I sent out a text and asked who all was interested and I’d say about 85 per cent said they were interested in doing this.”

Brockman and his crew worked in areas where the fire was already burned through checking for flare ups. Where they were, the fire had been stopped by a road and suppression efforts were protecting three different communities south of the fire, he said.

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“We’re just basically tasked with making sure that anything that was lighting up again, were put out.”

Not only was it a great learning experience for his crew, Brockman said they also worked with other firefighters who were professional and well organized.

The Lock Fire near Buffalo Narrows has grown to over 26,000 hectares with Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency stating earlier this week it is one of the largest fires currently burning in the province. Ongoing fire suppression efforts are in place to protect the village of St. George’s Hill.

With files from meadowlakeNOW.

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Becky.Zimmer@pattisonmedia.com