Warm, dry February sparks early grass fires in RM of Piapot

Unseasonably warm temperatures, combined with a lack of snow, led to early-season grass fires on Tuesday in the RM of Piapot – an unusual situation for February in southwest Saskatchewan.

Dave Zoerb, a foreman with the RM of Piapot and a volunteer firefighter, said crews were called out twice on Tuesday to fires east of Sidewood Grid incidents. He said these fires reflect conditions more typical of spring than of mid winter.

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“Usually we have more snow on the ground by now, and this year it’s everything’s pretty bare around here,” Zoerb said.

The first call came around 4:35 p.m., when firefighters responded to reports of a grass fire near railway tracks. Zoerb said crews from the Tompkins Fire Department were already on scene when Piapot firefighters arrived, and the fire was quickly brought under control.

“It looked like it was right beside the tracks, so we thought maybe the train started it, we’re not sure,” he said. “With the help of Tompkins, we were able to control it real quick.”

Later that night, firefighters were called back to the same area after a railway tie flared up and ignited nearby grass. Zoerb said crews responded again and extinguished the fire without issue.

“We went and responded and just put it out,” he said. “It was all good after that.”

While neither fire caused damage, Zoerb said the combination of warmer-than-normal February temperatures and limited moisture is raising concerns for volunteer fire crews.

“It’s really brown around the Piapot area,” he said. “There is moisture there, but it’s very, very limited. And like there’s no snow anywhere in our RM.”

Zoerb said February fires are rare largely because snow cover usually keeps grass and brush damp. This year, warmer weather has exposed dry ground earlier than expected, increasing the chance of ignition.

“Usually by January or February, this just isn’t something we’re dealing with,” he said. “This year is very uncommon.”

He credited co-operation between neighbouring departments for preventing the fires from spreading.

“We’re grateful that we have Tompkins back and are helping us out all the time,” Zoerb said.

Fire officials are urging residents to remain cautious, noting that warm temperatures and bare ground can create fire risk even in winter.

Zoerb said conditions in the RM of Piapot currently resemble early spring, and crews are staying alert as long as the warm, dry pattern continues.

“This isn’t something we expect this early,” he said. “But it’s something we have to be ready for.”