Eyewitness Accounts

Don Douglas, Fire Chief Granum Volunteer Fire Department

I witnessed a Hutterite working a fire break in a field near the colony. The winds were incredible. He had a four wheel drive tractor with a 50 foot discer and the fire was jumping over the tractor and discer with ease. He had no fear, and would come out of the fire and continue discing a new fireguard.

The probable path of the fire was in the direction of the town of Granum. At 2:21 p.m. I gave the order to evacuate the town as this fire appeared like it might jump Willow Creek.

A fireball landed on the other side of the creek. It traveled over 150 yards and landed in some stubble narrowly missing a barn and continuing east toward Highway No. 2

At 3:10 p.m. I receive word that the fire has been stopped in the median of Highway No. 2. This was a lucky save to have Granum and Claresholm Fire Departments right at the point of escape. I let the evacuation continue as I am still fearful that the fire may jump the creek in another area.

This fire was finally contained at 11:00 p.m. that evening. We received an early Christmas gift on the morning of December 18 — a foot of snow which extinguished the fire.

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