Lightning strike determined as cause of Cloverdale Fire

A lightning strike has been confirmed as the cause of the Cloverdale Fire on the outskirts of Prince Albert.

Investigators from the Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and City of Prince Albert completed the investigation.

Fire Inspector Brad Antonson with the P.A. Fire Department told paNOW the fire started within city limits, about 300 metres northeast of Evergreen Road.

A scorched “tree of origin” with bark blown off one side was found in the area, indicating a lightning strike, Antonson explained.

Although it’s unclear when the bolt hit, Antonson said investigators believe it may have been “holdover lightning” from a storm on May 15 or May 16.

“So basically the tree was struck and the fire’s burning underground undetected and then we get hot dry weather and the fire comes to the surface,” Antonson said.

Temperatures on May 17, when the blaze was reported, exceeded 30 C. Winds gusted to 55 kilometres per hour.

“(There were) windy, dry conditions,” Antonson said. “And the wind blew the fire in a northeasterly direction from there.”

At least 75 households were evacuated due to the fire. No homes or major structures were lost.

Other potential fire causes, like human activity, were ruled out over the course of the investigation, Antonson said.

By Alison Sandstrom, paNOW