Strong wind blows grass fire into Edmonton lumber yard
Strong wind blows grass fire into Edmonton lumber yard
23 October 2008
published by www.canada.com
Canada — Strong winds have blown a grass fire into a lumber yard at 68th Avenue and 71st Street this afternoon.
Edmonton fire department spokeswoman Nikki Booth said 10 trucks were sent to battle the blaze initially, which started around 4 p.m., but many have been returned to service now that it’s under control.
“There’s still an awful lot of smoke here, though,” said Booth.
Booth said that right now, firefighters are using a backhoe to break up the huge piles of lumber in the yard to make sure the timber is thoroughly soaked and doesn’t get a chance to smoulder.
Meanwhile, smoke east of the city is the result of another grass fire, this one on the main railroad tracks near 17th Street in Strathcona County.
That fire is believed to be under control.