Local fire crews return from La Ronge

The North Battleford and Battleford fire department has returned from its tour of duty fighting the northern wildfires.

The complement of 10 fire personnel  — five from Battleford and five from North Battleford — as well as equipment returned home to the Battlefords at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday as planned. Both fire departments are back to full strength.

The crews had been in La Ronge six days, leaving early last Wednesday morning and arriving around noon. Their primary role was to relieve fire crews that had been on duty fighting the fires and needed some rest.

In speaking to the News-Optimist, Larry Gabruch, chief of the Battleford fire department, said the five firefighters sent from his department had “long days” and were sleeping on cots in the skating rink there.

But he noted the “food was great,” and it was a “good learning experience” for members of his department.

“Our department is stronger and more experienced, certainly, by what those five firemen did while they were up there,” said Gabruch.

Among the main things they experienced was how to do battle with wildfires bearing down on a community.

Compared to fires normally seen in a municipality, wildfires are “a completely different animal,” said Gabruch.

Their primary responsibility was to protect property and infrastructure, and the crews were assigned mainly to the perimeter of the industrial park and the airport.   

Fire crews from other municipal departments continue to be rotated in to fight the blaze. Gabruch said the work is likely to last a while and rain was definitely needed to ease the situation.

“It’s a massive fire, it’s going to be a long drawn-out process to extinguish that fire,” said Gabruch. The Battleford fire chief also did not rule out the possibility the Battlefords could possibly be called upon to assist again.  

In a joint statement issued by Mayor Ian Hamilton of the City of North Battleford and Mayor Derek Mahon of the Town of Battleford, they said they were proud of the local crews who assisted in the effort.

“The Battlefords are proud to answer the call to protect our neighbours, friends, and family to the north. Our thoughts are still with all those affected by this terrible disaster.”