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Yesterday was a long one for members of the St. Claude and Elm Creek fire departments.

They dealt with a brush fire in the RM of Grey roughly 10 miles south of Portage la Prairie for close to nine hours, starting around 2 in the afternoon. St. Claude Fire Chief David Chappellaz stresses they made protecting homes a priority, and once that was accomplished, turned their attention to putting out the fire.

By that time, it had moved into a marshy area, with six foot high cat-tails, which made their efforts difficult. He says they waited until around 7 o'clock that night to take on the fire, and by 11, it was out.

Chappellaz says the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but points out dry, windy conditions make it easy for a fire to start. He says the fire went through an area of sloughs and pastures, with about 400 acres burned.

Chappellaz urges you not to burn anything, but if burning's necessary, exercise extreme caution.

20 firefighters and three trucks from the both fire departments were involved in the action.