Members of the Portage fire department monitor the scene for hot spots

Portage la Prairie firefighters were busy again last night, on two fronts.

About 5 in the afternoon yesterday, a call came in about a bale fire. It was off Highway 240, six miles south of the city, on Road 58. About 150 bales were burning.


A backhoe exposes any smouldering remains

Crews were still on the scene as late as 9 this morning.


A pile of carrots in front of the fire site

At one point, four trucks were fighting the blaze, with help from five Hutterite colonies, who were hauling water to the scene. RM of Portage workers also took part in containment efforts.

Just before 7 o'clock last night, a grass fire was reported near St. Ambroise. Portage crews joined firefghters from the RM of Woodlands and additional RM of Portage workers to deal with it. That blaze was extinguished around midnight.