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Humboldt Fire Department deals with two grass fires

RM OF HUMBOLDT, RM OF ST. PETER — Two grass fires over the weekend have the Humboldt Fire Department asking local residents and farmers to be aware of their surroundings.
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RM OF HUMBOLDT, RM OF ST. PETER — Two grass fires over the weekend have the Humboldt Fire Department asking local residents and farmers to be aware of their surroundings.

The first fire took place in a pasture half a mile south of Carmel on April 13 at 6:30 pm. Nine firefighters responded to the blaze.

Around 12 hours later, at 6:47 am on April 14, 14 firefighters responded to a fire at an abandoned farmyard a mile south of St. Peter’s College.

Mike Kwasnica, Humboldt’s fire chief, said the cause of both fires are unknown and under investigation.

The fire chief also warned the public the prevalence of dry grass could pose a danger.

“We just want people to be very aware of their surroundings and where they're going through especially until the grass greens up and and we get a little bit of help comes with all the dry stuff that we've got.”

For instance, the grass is dry enough that ATV, quads or side-by-sides have the potential to start a fire, one that will be unnoticeable to the driver. It could smoulder until the wind picks up and causes a big fire after the driver leaves the area.

As well, Kwasnica is asking farmers and acreage owners to be very careful when they burn: keeping note of when they burn, how long they burn and to keep an eye on the fire as it burns.