On Aug. 20, the Wellington Fire Department responded to a field fire in St. Raphael. ContributedArticle contentSUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Thanks to P.E.I.’s abnormally dry conditions, two Prince County fire departments have responded to three field fires so far in August.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentShortly after noon on Aug. 20, the Wellington fire department received a call about a vehicle on fire on the St. Raphael Road.Article contentArticle content“When we get the call, you never know what you’re anticipating to see when you get there,” said Desmond Arsenault, spokesperson for the department.Article contentArticle content“Normally, a vehicle, it’s typically parked on the side of the road. We get there, we put water on it, if it gets hot, you just back up a little bit, put more water.”Article contentWhat they saw instead was a bailer in the middle of a grain field, both engulfed in flames. At the end of the field was tall grass, and a forest behind.Article content“It was unreal.”Article content On Aug. 20, the Wellington Fire Department responded to a field fire in St. Raphael. ContributedArticle contentWhile the flames were low to the ground, members of the fire department noted it was quickly spreading and called Miscouche and Tyne Valley stations for assistance. Some nearby farmers aided with water and equipment to turn over the soil and bury exposed straw in an effort to create a firebreak.Article content“That was very helpful in preventing it from spreading any further than it did,” said Arsenault. “The fire did cover probably 15 to 20 acres of freshly cut grains. That was lost to fire.”Article contentThe flames had nearly reached the edge of the field before they were extinguished. Firefighters were on scene for around four hours.Article contentArticle content“Had the fire spread to that long grass, it was into the forest and had no way to stop it,” said Arsenault.Article content“It would just run right in the forest and we’d still be there, fighting a forest fire. All hands on deck proved very helpful to mitigate a situation that could’ve been a lot worse.”Article contentArsenault reminded people that if they see large plumes of smoke or flames, to contact 911.Article content“Don’t call the firefighters or post on Facebook,” he said, “so we can respond as quickly as possible.”Article contentAs of Aug. 21, the cause of the fire was unknown, though Arsenault said it was related to the bailer.Article content On Aug. 20, the Wellington Fire Department responded to a field fire in St. Raphael. ContributedArticle contentFires near KensingtonArticle contentMeanwhile, the Kensington fire department was busy responding to a second field fire, this one in New Annan.Article contentThat call came in at around 3 p.m. on Aug. 20. Firefighters responded to a burning barley field, behind Cavendish Farms.Article content“They lost probably 15 acres, maybe,” said Kensington Fire Chief Rodney Hickey.
P.E.I. firefighters kept busy with Prince County field fires in August
