Edmonton firefighters battle multiple grassfires amid dry, windy conditions
Edmonton firefighters tackled multiple grassfires across the city on Friday. A large blaze broke out in the far northeast around 2:30 p.m., while smaller fires were reported near encampments in west Edmonton. The incidents came as the city also conducted a planned burn to reduce wildfire risks.
The biggest fire erupted north of Manning Drive, drawing ten fire units to the scene. Crews used tankers to haul water because no hydrants were nearby. Within an hour, they had the flames under control.
Meanwhile, fires also flared along Winterburn Road and near 137th Avenue and Mark Messier Trail. Both were linked to encampments. Dry, windy conditions made it easy for flames to spread quickly. Earlier in the day, the city carried out a prescribed burn in Jan Reimer Park. The controlled fire covered 18 hectares—larger than previous burns—as part of ongoing wildfire prevention efforts.
Firefighters have urged residents to stay alert when handling outdoor fires. The combination of dry grass and windy weather increases the risk of rapid fire spread. Officials continue to monitor the situation as conditions remain hazardous.
