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Berkly Catton, Brayden Yager, Caden Price and Tanner Howe were all named.
People in and around Leader and Burstall, Sask. were cleaning up damage from heavy winds and wildfires Wednesday, and paying their respects to an Alberta firefighter who died while helping to defend their communities.
The wildfires swept through the area Tuesday afternoon and evening, forcing 1200 people to evacuate from their homes.
As people returned to their homes Wednesday, fire damage was apparent throughout fields between the two communities. In at least one case, a grain pile was found still smouldering.
A grain pile is still on fire south of Burstall, along with several grain bins burning something inside. Another building just ash. #skfire pic.twitter.com/Gm5RMgYnVb
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) October 18, 2017
Burstall Mayor Tegan Bodnarchuck credited firefighting crews from Saskatchewan and Alberta for saving the town from the approaching flames.
“They set up directly south of town and were able to stop it from crossing the road. It was, like, feet from hitting our ball diamonds and then it would have come into town,” he said.
Many in the community expressed sadness upon learning of the death of James Hargrave. The 34-year-old rancher and volunteer firefighter from Cypress County, Alta. was killed when a water truck he was driving was involved in a collision south of Burstall.
From my conversations with people in Burstall though, I know they're thankful. This sign at the fire hall is proof. #skfire #sask pic.twitter.com/kdEB0wI0kt
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) October 18, 2017
A GoFundMe page was set up to help Hargrave’s family. As of Thursday morning, it had raised just over $17,000 of a $50,000 goal.
Another two men, 43 and 27 were taken to hospital in Alberta after they were injured while trying to defend their property near Tompkins, Sask. from the fire. There was no word Wednesday on the extent of their injuries.
In Leader, efforts were underway to clear up tree branches taken down by the winds, which gusted up to around 100 km/h Tuesday.
Andreas fought the fires outside Burstall & Leader last night. This morning he's driving around, cleaning up debris in Leader #skfire #sask pic.twitter.com/Bshih0bn4N
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) October 18, 2017
—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel and The Canadian Press
Aerial view of a farmyard north of the Village of Empress damaged in the wildfire Oct. 18 2017. (Jenny Hagen/Twitter)
Wildfire still smouldering near the Village of Empress Oct. 18, 2017. (Jenny Hagen/Twitter)
A photo of the smoke near Burstall, Sask. due to a wildfire that caused the town to be evacuated on Oct. 17, 2017. (Submitted by Tegan Bodnarchuk)
Highway 41 where a roadblock is set up just south of Hilda, Alta on Oct. 17, 2017. (Juanita Hysuick)
Photos of the smoke from the wildfire near Burstall, Sask. can be seen south of Richmond on Oct. 17, 2017. (Juanita Hysuick)
Smoke is filling the air south of Leader, Sask. due to a wildfire near Burstall on Oct. 17, 2017. (Ryan Wünsch Twitter)
Smoke is filling the air south of Leader, Sask. due to a wildfire near Burstall on Oct. 17, 2017. (Ryan Wünsch Twitter)
Photo of smoke and fire posted by a farmer in the area hit by wildfires Oct. 17, 2017. (Michael/ Twitter @Michwol)
Smoke billows into the sky around the town of Burstall, Sask. as crews battle blaze in a nearby field on Oct 17, 2017. (Lou McDowell Stuebing)
The St Paul Lutheran Church on the corner of Highway 321 and Maharg Avenue in Burstall, Sask. on Oct. 17, 2017. (Keldon K./Twitter)
Smoke fills the sky above Burstall, Sask. on Oct. 17. (Charlene Albrecht/Submitted)
Plumes of smoke loom over the Village of Burstall, Sask. on Oct. 17. (Charlene Albrecht/Submitted)