UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m. on April 23, Battlefords RCMP ended traffic restrictions on Hwy 40 west of Battleford after fire officials advised they had the fire contained and under control.
This fire was responded to by fire departments from Sweetgrass First Nation, Town of Battleford, Town of Cut Knife and Moosomin First Nation.
Their efforts, combined with land owners tilling fire breaks ahead of the blaze with their personal farming equipment, prevented this fire from getting beyond control and being driven east and south across Hwy 40 by strong winds.
The investigation into the cause of this fire is ongoing.
BACKGROUND: The RCMP is saying to avoid the area of a grassfire southwest of North Battleford and the Department of Highways is currently restricting traffic there.
Battlefords RCMP issued a release this afternoon to notify the public about a fast moving grassfire posing a risk to the community of Sweetgrass First Nation, residents of the Table Mountain area and the residents of the village of Prongua near Highway 40.
As of 2:30 p.m, RCMP were saying the fire was currently north of the Highway 40 but it was expected that it may cross the highway if the winds increase.
RCMP are asking all public to avoid the area until further notice, so firefighters will have access to the fire. The Battleford and Sweetgrass Fire Departments are currently on the scene and fighting the fire and attempting to slow the advance of the fire.
RCMP are advising residents of the area to be on the alert and be prepared.
