The Cloverdale fire started within city limits about 300 meters north of Evergreen Road. (Submitted photo/Curtis Wailing)

By Alison Sandstrom

Investigation concluded

Lightning strike determined cause of Cloverdale Fire

May 27, 2021 | 11:13 AM

A lightning strike has been confirmed as the cause of the Cloverdale Fire on the outskirts of Prince Albert.

Investigators from the Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and the City of Prince Albert completed the investigation.

Fire Inspector Brad Antonson with the P.A. Fire Department told paNOW the fire started within city limits, about 300 meters northeast of Evergreen Road.

A scorched “tree of origin” with bark blown off one side was found in the area, indicating a lightning strike, Antonson explained.

Although it’s unclear when the bolt hit, Antonson said investigators believe it may have been “holdover lighting” from a storm on Saturday or Sunday.

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“So basically the tree was struck and the fire’s burning underground undetected and then we get hot dry weather and the fire comes to the surface,” Antonson said.

Temperatures on Monday May 17, when the blaze was reported, exceeded 30 degrees. Winds gusted to 55 km/hr.

“[There were] windy dry conditions,” Antonson said. “And the wind blew the fire in a northeasterly direction from there.”

At least 75 households were evacuated due to the fire.

No homes or major structures were lost.

Other potential fire causes, like human activity, were ruled out over the course of the investigation, Antonson said.

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alison.sandstrom@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alisandstrom