NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT
Firefighters quickly contained a small grass fire at the top of Scholten Hill on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
A small grassfire on the top of Scholten Hill was quickly put out Wednesday, leading the fire department to send two of the four trucks it deployed back to the station.
“We sent over two engine trucks and a couple of brushfire fighting trucks to attend,” said acting platoon chief Brett Bachewich.
Police advised the fire department the “fire was growing rapidly,” but “when the guys got on scene, they knocked it down really quick,” he said.
As a result, they sent one of each type of truck back to Station 1.
The fire was about 60 by 40 feet in size at its peak.
“It kind of looks like a big kidney out there right now,” said Bachewich.
The cause of the fire was unknown as of press time, nor is it known who reported the blaze to police.
“There’s an influx of people out on the trails. Of course, we have dry weather right now,” Bachewich said. “We live in a dry humidity area and haven’t had very much rain lately, so we’re going to start seeing an influx of grassfires, as we do every year.”
As always this time of year, it’s important for the public to remember that most fires are caused by human error, says Bachewich, whether it’s tossing out cigarette butts or starting a bonfire with wood that’s collected moisture.
