Medicine Hat Fire Crews battled a large grass fire near 23 St NW Saturday afternoon (tiffanygoodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Cause of grass fire determined

Jun 27, 2021 | 5:05 PM

The cause of a large grass fire that resulted in the evacuation of 60 residences, the Family Leisure Centre, and a number of businesses has been determined.

The fire occurred near 23 Street NW and spanned four kilometres (2.5 miles) in length, burning two sections of grassland, according to the Medicine Hat Fire Service.

Platoon Chief Lane Lindsay confirmed the cause of the grass fire was due to a spark from a farm swather, which is often used to cut hay.

“Unfortunately a rock was struck during the swathing process of the field, and a spark did occur and he tried to put the fire out with an extinguisher on board but because of the prevailing winds it escalated quickly,” Platoon chief Lindsay said.

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An arieal photo of the land that was burned ( Clayton Thompson/ submitted photo)

Those same strong winds posed a greater challenge in putting the fire out for good.

“The prevailing wind was quite strong and essentially out of the northeast so it was blowing it back towards a large grass area in the eastern section of CF Industries,” Platoon Chief Lindsay said.

Crews are still on site mopping up hot spots.

No structures were lost in the fire, but Platoon Chief Lindsay said there was significant damage to two power lines, one north of 23 Street and another parallel to 23 Street.

According to a City of Medicine Hat Facebook post, 154 residences were without power. But power has since been restored.