ESTEVAN — Grass fires and a collision involving a vehicle and a moose were among nine recent calls for service for members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service.
Firefighters were called to the moose collision during the night of May 26. It occurred east of the city.
"Crews responded and assisted on that scene," said Fire Chief Rick Davies. "The vehicle was damaged enough that it had to be towed from the scene."
There were no reports of injuries due to the incident, he said.
The following day, members were called to a commercial fire alarm in north-central Estevan. It was quickly reported the alarm was false and the EFRS's assistance was not required, so crews stood down.
The first of the grass fires occurred southwest of the city in the morning of May 28. Davies said crews responded and quickly extinguished the fire without incident. No damage or injuries were reported.
The other two occurred on May 29. The first, in the early afternoon, was south of the city. Crews responded and Davies said they quickly extinguished the fire. No damage or injuries were reported.
The next one was southeast of the city. Davies said it was small and along a ditch. Crews responded and quickly extinguished the fire.
A commercial fire alarm on May 30 came in from the southern part of Estevan. Crews were informed during their response that the alarm was false and their assistance was not required.
On May 31, members were called to a commercial fire alarm just south of Estevan. Crews were informed it was false and stemmed from issues with the alarm system.
Later that day, they were called about a small fluid spill in north Estevan. The duty officer responded and helped with the cleanup.
The final call was a June 1 commercial fire alarm just south of the city. It was also confirmed to be false.
The cause of the grass fires has yet to be confirmed, Davies said. The fire risk in the area was still listed as high according to the provincial fire risk map.
"We're a little bit better off in our area, down here in the southeast, compared to the rest of the province, as a large majority of the province is at an extreme risk."
Davies cautioned anyone who is burning anything to be "extra cautious".
He also noted the EFRS has yet to be contacted to provide manpower or equipment for the ongoing wildfire situation in northern Saskatchewan. The department would consider such a request if it came in.
May was a busy month with calls, Davies said, and he said the department will be active this month, providing tours for school students and spraying down the youths to keep them cool at the end of sports days.
