Fire services responded to a silage fire south west of Medicine Hat on Monday. (Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder, Jesse Gill

UPDATED

Firefighters, excavator respond to silage fire outside Medicine Hat

Mar 12, 2024 | 5:00 PM

A silage fire south west of Medicine Hat on Monday saw more than 65 firefighters from 13 fire stations responding.

The cause is believed to have come during the fermentation process.

The temperature inside the silage pit rose to a point where it exceeded the ignition temperature and that led to spontaneous combustion, causing it to catch fire.

An excavator was brought in to move the silage around to keep the fire from spreading and reduce the oxygen to it.

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The fire started around noon Monday on a farm at the intersection of Highway 3 and Range Road 65 located near the midpoint between Medicine Hat and Seven Persons.

Cypress County fire chief and emergency services coordinator Jason Linton said upon arriving at the fire they knew they needed additional support.

“Initial call was for a small site fire, upon arrival, we realized that is was more than a little fire,” Linton said

“This was a pretty complex fire, just because of how big the silage pit was, and how mucky it was and access for vehicles and water supply,” he added.

“We did a total recall of all county firefighters, as well as agency partners such as Medicine Hat, C.F.B. Suffield, Special Areas and the City of Brooks.”

Structural damage at the farm included a few grain bins.

Traffic attempting to turn south bound on Range Road 65 was being limited mid-afternoon.

A Cypress County official had said at 5 p.m. Monday that the fire was under control with no threat of spreading.

Cypress County crews remained on scene until 10 p.m. Monday night to ensure it was properly extinguished, not leaving their fire hall until 2 a.m.

Clean up of the gear will now take place over the next few days.

Cypress Country stations from Dunmore, Box Springs, Seven Persons, Irvine, Walsh, Hilda, Schuler, and Suffield joined crews from Medicine Hat, Methanex, Jenner, Murray Lake and Brooks to fight the fire.

Linton said that it’s awesome that they have that kind of support.

“We have amazing agency partners everywhere from our own internal volunteer firefighters, to the city, to Murray Lake colony, which was fantastic that they brought out their own personal farm fire truck as well,” Lindton said.

“All the other agency partners as well,” he added.

“All the people behind the scenes and then people dropping off food to all the firefighters, look out for their own personal safety was a phenomenal response.”

Alberta Health Services also had a mobile unit on site to assist.

Earlier today Cypress County also announced they have put a hold on issuing fire permits.

This would normally take place on April 1, but according to Linton the quick drying conditions, warmer temperatures and windy conditions contributed to the decision.