Corman Park man recounts close encounter with brush fire south of Saskatoon

Don Sych had a front-row view of Tuesday’s brush fire in the RM of Corman Park, just west of Highway 11.

According to Reeve Judy Harwood, the fire damaged two homes and several outbuildings, with some residents only having enough time to let their horses out before getting out of the path of the fast-moving fire. The Saskatoon Fire Department estimated the blaze covered 800 acres, but said nobody was injured.

Sych said he was in his yard at about 3 p.m. when he first spotted the “huge” flames.

READ MORE:

• Wildfire smoke raises air quality risks for all in Saskatchewan
• Public Safety Agency shares update on fire threatening Sandy Bay
• Largest study of 2023 wildfires finds extreme weather fuelled flames

“The fire department did come out and worked diligently to control the fire, but with the tall grass, the fire just kept moving east,” said Sych as he surveyed the view of the burnt land next to his home in Corman Park on Wednesday.

“The fire was within about 40 feet of my buildings.”

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

Sych said many farmers jumped on their equipment to move hay bales away from flames.

He said mowing may have helped keep the blaze from engulfing his own property.

“I had the grass trimmed down well in the yard, and the fire just kind of went along the fence line,” Sych explained. “We moved the equipment out of the shop, because I was afraid the motor home, the lawnmowers and tractor would burn, so we got them out of there.”

Sych said Tuesday wasn’t the first time he’s experienced a brush fire near his home. Another fire came quite close four years ago.

“These fires are not pleasant,” he said.

Sych said hot spots can linger for some time, and can flare up again when wind speeds pick up, so he’s concerned the area could see more fires.

The Saskatoon Fire Department battled the blaze through the night, with help from two additional fire engines from Clavet Fire Rescue, and were able to contain it around 2 a.m.

Firefighters remained on scene Wednesday morning to continue putting out hot spots, as there were still areas smoldering where the fire had burned.

A cause for the fire at this time is unknown and emergency crews are still investigating.