Reports of black haze and ash falling from the sky are coming from the RM of Stuartburn right now as municipal crews fight back a fire significantly larger than the one they extinguished Sunday night.

Whereas 900 acres of land were consumed in a fire north of Vita over the weekend, Fire Chief Bob Fostey says the new wildfire, west of Provincial Road 302 near Zhoda, appears far more ominous.

“This one is pretty huge,” he states,” and it has probably travelled approximately five miles since we got the call a few hours ago.”

Residents say the dark plume of smoke can be seen across the RM of Stuartburn. Photo credit: Daniel Hiebert

Fostey says his fire crews who are already exhausted from the grass fire over Easter long weekend are again doing their best to ensure no people or private property are in harm’s way.

“We’re scouting out all of the potential residences, places, and property that could be in danger,” notes the chief.

Aware that the sheer size of this blaze may be too much for his crews alone, Fostey says it is likely his department will be calling for Mutual Aid.

This is a developing story, more details will be posted as they are made available.