Lac La Biche Fire Rescue crews thought the fire call on Wednesday afternoon was at the 150-year-old Lac La Biche Mission Historical site.
Fortunately, it wasn't.
Lac La Biche County's Region Fire Chief John Kokotilo tells Lakeland This Week that the location given for the callout that came in at about 2 p.m. put the mapping "pin" on at the historical site. The Lac La Biche Mission Historical Site is home to a historic convent, school house, outbuildings and church along with a more modern interpretive centre.
"When the call came in, that's what it looked like," said Kokotilo.
But as crews responded, the address system corrected the route, sending firefighters directly to an abandoned residence along the Old Mission Road near the entrance to the Range Road 145 boat launch. The location is about five kilometres west of the historical site.
Kokotilo said when crews arrived, they could see smoke and fire inside the building – a single story bungalow just off the main road.Temperatures at the time of the call were above 30C, which Kokotilo said was a concern for the health and safety of firefighters and the spreading flames.
Fire crews quickly put out the fire, keeping the damage to the house and not the dry brush-land on the property. No one was injured during the call.
Hot work on hot days
For firefighters called out on such hot days, the fire boss says it's important to rotate manpower and keep everyone thouroughly hydrated.
"It's all about hydration, hydration, hydration," said Kokotilo, "and swapping out personnel, and air-conditioned vehicles for the rehabilitation of the crews."
Wednesday's structure fire has been deemed as suspicious. Kokotilo says an investigation in to the cause of the fire is continuing.
