This week, Virden’s fire department were called to a downtown incident. Smoke in the RBC bank meant a precautionary street closure.
The source was initially difficult to locate but further investigation revealed that a burned-out fan motor in an air conditioning unit was the culprit.
Local fire stations are quenching fires in a landscape that is vulnerable during this extremely dry fall.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, Wallace District Fire Department snuffed out a small grass fire along Highway #1, west of Virden. They also attended a minor motor vehicle incident near Tim Horton's Restaurant.
Fireworks in town is an ongoing issue says WDFD Fire Chief Brad Yochim and he wants to put a stop to it.
Saturday night, Sept. 27, fireworks at the creek side park on Nelson St. W. came to the attention of the fire department. There were also fireworks in the area of Queen St. W. during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Fireworks are illegal within town limits, Fire Chief Brad Yochim advises. “They are illegal for two reasons. One is the noise but the more serious reason is the fire that they may start when they land. It is very dry and if they start a fire, the person(s) lighting them off will be held liable for any damages or injuries they cause. The fines are high and the consequences could be much worse.”
In the month of September WDFD had 10 calls. Six for Virden and four for Elkhorn station. Those calls included three grass/brush fires, three motor vehicle incidents, two false alarms, one baler fire and a small fire in one of the schools.
No fire bans have been set in Wallace-Woodworth so far, and the hope is that rain will relieve the crispy conditions soon.
Yochim says, “We will be busy as long as it stays dry. Hopefully the forecast is correct for rain on the weekend.”
