Grass Fire

------Update at 2:30PM on April 24, 2023-----

The Sommerville Fire is under control. There is no risk to the public or surrounding properties at this time. Stony Plain Fire Department (SPFD) will continue to monitor the area over the next week and will continue to address any potential remaining hot spots. The area was monitored over the past week and hot spots have significantly reduced. Small pockets of smoke may be noticed, they will be addressed by SPFD staff during their inspections. The soil structure at this location is challenging and efforts are ongoing to ensure all ground fires are completely extinguished. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Thank you for your patience.

------Update at 10:30AM on April 16, 2023----- 

The Stony Plain Fire Department is on the scene today. There is still ground fire which crews will be focussing their efforts on, but the perimeter is secure, and flames are not active. The Town asks for residents to avoid the area and for your patience as there will be smoke in the area until the ground fire is fully extinguished. The status of the fire is expected to remain the same throughout the day. Updates will only be issued if there are any major changes to the situation or when it is no longer an active fire, this could take several days.

-----Update at 8:45PM on April 15, 2023----- 

The fire is contained, and the perimeter is well secured, but there will likely be flare ups and smoke throughout the night. The Stony Plain Fire Department will continue working on hot spots until dark and the area will be checked overnight. Full crews will return in the morning to ensure complete extinguishment. There may be small flare ups with smoke in the burned area through the night, and as night falls, residents may notice a strong smoke smell and smoke haze. The smoke  will dissipate as winds pick up again. No other structural damage has been reported. The cause is unknown at this time; however, there will be a full investigation. The fire has burned approximately 40 acres of grass and trees. Further updates will be provided tomorrow.

----Original News Release posted at 7:00PM April 15, 2023----

A fire behind the Somerville and High Park subdivisions and east of St. John Paul II School is now under control. The Stony Plain Fire Department responded following the discovery of the fire in the trees earlier this afternoon. 

Wind conditions pushed the fire into the field west of the Somerville subdivision and access to the area for fire apparatus was limited. The Stony Plain Fire Department called in additional resources from Parkland County to assist. Residents adjacent to the field also supported with wetting the perimeter with garden hoses. One home in the northwest, along Garden Valley Drive, sustained some melted siding.  

Stony Plain Fire Chief Trevor Mistal says, “The fire is currently contained, and crews are still on scene to knock down hot spots. There is some concern with the peat moss in the area and the underground spread. This area will require additional time to ensure fire is extinguished. Crews will remain on site to ensure fire has been fully put out and no hazards remain.”  

Public Works staff is also on-site with a backhoe to help with the breakup of larger debris piles and will continue to do so into the evening hours.  

“Crews did a great job responding quickly and using resources to contain spread of the fire,” says Mayor William Choy. “The safety of our residents is always a top priority. We are grateful to the Stony Plain and Parkland County Fire Departments, Stony Plain Public Works Staff, and residents in the area for their quick and diligent response.” 

No injuries have been reported at this time and no evacuations have been ordered. 

Updates will be provided as needed on this page. 

Photography courtesy of Wendy Mallard.