Brush fire in Ponoka believed to be intentionally set

PONOKA -- Fire crews believe that a recent brush fire near downtown Ponoka may have been intentionally set. 

The blaze broke out in the afternoon of Thursday, May 7, near the baseball diamond path in the river valley. Crews with Ponoka County Fire Services arrived on scene shortly after 3:00 p.m. and battled the fire for several hours. In a statement to 89.7 The One, fire officials say that a significant amount of fuel load (dead grass, trees, etc.) and access to the area created challenges for firefighters. 

They note that the fire spread was contained by 4:15 p.m. as crews remained on scene well into the evening, extinguishing hot spots and burning deadfall and trees. During the course of the incident, the department had a total of seven apparatus on scene, which included two engines for structural protection and hot spots, two bush trucks, two side-by-sides, and a tender involving thirteen members.

Although the cause of the brush fire is still under investigation, officials suspect that it was intentionally set. Ponoka County Fire Services thanks residents who avoided the area, which allowed the department unrestricted access to fight the fire.