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Crews battling grassfire near Hilda

Oct 17, 2017 | 1:55 PM

HILDA, AB — Firefighters from two provinces are battling a massive grassfire near Hilda that has already closed down one highway in Alberta and is threatening to enter Saskatchewan.

Shortly before 1 p.m., Cypress County receive a call about a fast moving grass fire north of Hilda. According to Alberta Emergency Alert, the fire is located between Township Roads 180 and 190, on both the east and west sides of Highway 41. The fire is rapidly moving in a northeast direction, as a result of the high winds.

RCMP closed Highway 41 in both directions due to smoke travelling across the highway and for safety concerns. Residents of Hilda were advised to be prepared to evacuate if the fire shifts.

According to fire chief Kelly Mayer, Cypress County firefighters from Box Springs, Seven Persons, Irvine, Walsh, Schuler and Hilda are battling the blaze, and being joined by firefighters from Richmound, Saskatchewan and other neighbouring areas.

In Saskatchewan, the Town of Burstall and the RM of Deerforks #232 have both been evacuated. Residents of the town and the RM are being ordered to travel north towards Leader by way of Highway 321.

The fire also affecting the Prairie Rose School Division. Buses 103 and 104, which run from Hilda to Schuler, are not running, requiring parents to find alternate methods to pick up their children from school. The students will stay at Schuler School for the time being

The bus taking students from Eagle Butte High School to the area is still running, but students could be forced to stay at Schuler School if travel is deemed unsafe by the bus driver.

Angela Baron, the communications coordinator with Prairie Rose School Division, says ensuring their students and bus drivers are safe is the most important thing for the division.

“We do try and make sure that parents connect with their children, because that is important as well,” she said. “But, at the end of the day, if it’s unsafe to put students on a bus on the highway when there is a fire, we’re not going to do it.

“We do have measures in place. Schuler is a brand-new school, it has a great-sized kitchen, so if we need students to stay in the school where it is safe, we would rather do that for sure.”

Baron adds staff will be present at the school to help students where needed. She says the school has alerted parents in the division about the fire and the measures in place. A message from the board can be read here.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.