‘A sad day:’ Reeve says two homes lost in brush fire south of Saskatoon

The reeve of the RM of Corman Park says the community is “devastated” after two homes were destroyed by a brush fire on Tuesday.

“It’s a sad day for the community,” Judy Harwood said. “There’s no doubt.”

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Harwood said some outbuildings were destroyed in the blaze south of Saskatoon, along with the two homes, but the community is already pulling together and doing everything possible to help those affected by the blaze.

I’m back in the RM of Corman Park, just a couple kilometres west of Highway 11 where a massive brush fire ripped through this field yesterday.

There is still smoke smouldering hours after the blaze. The Reeve tells us two homes were lost. #YXE @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/eSvC89tZn5

— Shane (@ShaneC06) August 21, 2024

According to the Saskatoon Fire Department, firefighters were called to the scene off Highway 11, west of Victor Road, just before 4 p.m.

Rob Hogan, Saskatoon’s deputy fire chief, confirmed there were no injuries in the blaze, but said the heat, wind and low humidity all contributed to the fire.

“We had a temperature of 34 C, wind was 35 kilometres per hour, gusting to 51, and the relative humidity was 17.”

“On arrival the fire had spread from what appeared to be a wheat field into a brush that was occupied by multiple buildings and vehicles. Adjacent to this property was another property with a house and shop and multiple buildings as well.”

Hogan said firefighters were able to defend several structures, but the wind and conditions meant several buildings were lost.

“The approximate list was a house, with an attached garage and a large shop. A detached garage, two to three medium outside buildings, six vehicles – including a large motor home – four trailers and other multiple small pieces of equipment such as a Bobcat,” he explained.

“The fire was moving north to south and incident command had to make a tactical decision to create a fire break to prevent the fire from advancing on another farm land.”

The fire was contained at around 2 a.m., Hogan said, but firefighters were still on the scene Wednesday morning dealing with hot spots.

“I am going to put the damage estimates at about two-and-a-half to three million dollars for this fire,” he said.

Harwood said conditions in the area have been very dry recently, and fire is a major concern. Harwood said she’d heard that residents were left with very little time to react as the fast-moving fire swept closer to their homes.

The Saskatoon Fire Department said two additional fire engines from Clavet Fire Rescue were called on to help with the fire on Tuesday. (Saskatoon Fire Department/Submitted)

“The folks there just had time to let their horses go and get out — that’s how quickly the fire was moving,” Harwood said.

“The conditions are extremely dry, there still is a fire ban in Corman Park, and of course, the winds were there, so it’s a perfect storm for a grass fire to move very quickly.”

While the cause of the fire is under investigation, Harwood said it appears that a piece of farming equipment being operated in the area may have sparked the blaze.

(Saskatoon Fire Department/Submitted)

The reeve asked residents to be vigilant as dry conditions persist to avoid starting any fires by accident.

“Fire is one of the most feared things in any RM,” Harwood explained.

Harwood said the RM has agreements with local fire departments, but response times over the large area of Corman Park mean that fast-moving fires like the one that broke out on Tuesday are especially concerning.

Kerry Hilts, chief administrative officer for the RM of Corman Park, told 650 CKOM the fire impacted properties at two separate addresses along Victor Road.

“Throughout the evening there was a loss of significant property,” he said.

“There was a loss of a home, a garage, equipment – and the neighbouring property, including a garage and a car.”

Hilts said even though things look very lush and green in the area, the ground is very dry.

“Fires are unpredictable,” he said. “We did have to do some significant work with graders and cultivators in terms of trying to create those windrows to get the fire under control. The first thing is that you’re trying to protect the other properties.”

Hilts didn’t have an estimate of how much area was burned up in the fire, but said it was quite significant. The Saskatoon Fire Department estimated the blaze covered 800 acres.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker, Shane Clausing and Payton Zillich