Biggar fire under control, but crews remain on scene

A wildfire burning southwest of Saskatoon near Biggar is now under control.

The Town of Biggar provided an update shortly after 5 p.m. on the fire that has been burning since Monday. In a post to the town’s Facebook page, the update says the fire was controlled around 4 p.m. with fire crews and volunteers fighting hotspots in the middle and along the east edge of the fire.

Biggar is not expected to be at risk of fire or smoke damage since the blaze has been controlled. Air quality is also not expected to deteriorate.

Jeanne Marie de Moissac, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Biggar, told The Brent Loucks Show on Thursday morning that crews from Biggar and Delisle had been working all night to put out hotspots and deal with flare-ups in the southeast and southwest corners of brush area.

De Moissac said she was thankful no homes had been destroyed and that there had been no injuries. However, a chalet building in the recreation area was lost.

“I’m afraid there won’t be much of a recreation area left,” she said.

De Moissac said provincial fire experts were helping to co-ordinate a firefighting force of hundreds of volunteers and firefighters.

“We’re used to grass fires and this really is almost a forest fire because of the nature of the brush that has been burning,” she said.

With reports of rain and light flurries emerging Thursday morning in areas north and east of Saskatoon, de Moissac said crews were hoping the precipitation would head their way to help get the fire out once and for all.

Under the state of emergency, residents were advised to be prepared to leave if instructed and people were urged to avoid the area of the fire to avoid interfering with ongoing firefighting efforts.