An investigation is now underway following a sprawling, but now under control, 150-hectare blaze that started near Echo Lake on Township Road 592A Saturday afternoon.
Westlock County Fire Services were alerted to the fire, which was located about eight kilometers east of Vimy, at about 3:20 p.m. May 12 and soon called in reinforcements from Thorhild County and Sturgeon County.
“We think we have a cause, but we haven’t done a full investigation yet,” said county chief administrative officer Leo Ludwig Monday morning. “It’s looking like it may have come from folks shooting in the bush.”
Crown land in the area has long been a popular spot for gun enthusiasts.
Thirty area firefighters were joined by five provincial wildland firefighters as well as four provincial air tankers, two helicopters and five bulldozers as the fire grew to 150 hectares by May 13. No structures were damaged, but five area families were put on high alert to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Nearby gunshots also halted firefighting efforts May 13, as crews were forced to pull back for safety reasons.
“Unfortunately, some folks believe they should go out and see for themselves and it can create some hazards for not only themselves, but the folks fighting the fire,” said Ludwig.
Firefighters set up barricades at the junction of Range Road 240A and Township Road 593 as numerous spectators tried to get a closer look, only to be asked to leave by officials trying to get fire-fighting equipment into the scene.
Local crews have now pulled back and turned it over to 45 provincial firefighters, who are taking care of any hot spots that remain.
See the May 22 Westlock News for more on the blaze.
