No charges laid in Porcupine Plain train bridge blaze

The landowner behind a grass fire that eventually engulfed a bridge in northeast Saskatchewan won’t face charges.

RCMP conducted an investigation into the massive blaze that destroyed a nearly century-old railway bridge near Porcupine Plain last Friday.

The bridge, which is no longer being used as a rail crossing, is a total loss.

Police found no criminal intent on the part of the landowner, Brian Foster.

Foster told CKOM News earlier this week, he wants people to know his intentions were good.

He said he was burning grass to clear the walking and ski trails on his property when the fire got away from him.

“There was some grass and willows surrounded by snow that could be safely burnt. I burnt it and it went very well. Then I thought, hey, I’ll go over and do the tall grass on the ski trail and that didn’t go quite so well.”

Foster said he contacted the RCMP and CN Rail to take responsibility for the fire.

Clean up of the site is being handled by the Ministry of Environment.

Police recommend taking extra precautions when burning grass, such as keeping enough distance from all structures and having extinguishers on hand.

Contact your local RM for burn permits and call Fire Control 866-404-4911 to notify the local authorities of your intention to burn.