Modern communications help fight fires

More than ever, farms have water trucks and discs available to fight fires, especially during harvest. Good communication is key to making the best use of available resources. Modern communication technology helped limit the damage from a large harvest fire Aug. 27 in southwestern Saskatchewan. We farm south of the town of Cabri, and on this hot and windy day, a large plume of smoke began billowing into the sky somewhere to the northwest. Where was it exactly? What was burning? Could we help? We were busy combining, but when a fire breaks out, it's everyone's problem. Unfortunately, the distance to a fire can be deceiving. Even when it appears close, it can sometimes be many miles away. It might be under control before you even arrive. Our questions were soon answered through WhatsApp. Several years ago, residents in the area established a Highway 32 Wildfire chat on the app. We didn't respond to the fire. The app told us that others were closer with water trucks and discs. The local aerial applicator also responded, dumping water on the flames. Farmyards were at risk. At one point, cattle had to be moved from the path of the fire. It was a scary time. Location of the blaze, who was coming with what and the best deployment of resources were all better co-ordinated because of the WhatsApp communication program. Here's a sampling of the posts edited for spelling and punctuation. Of course, in the urgency of the moment, those don't matter much. 'Fire north of Shackleton.' 'Yup, on my way.' 'It's big.' 'Has 911 been called.' 'Do you need a disc?' 'Yes, bring everything you got.' 'Sending tanker. Please give best location.' (A pin of the location was provided.) 'On the way with water truck.' 'There's a water pump at the south dugout at M farm site near the seed plant if anyone needs a refill.' Think there's cows in their pasture. Cut the fence if needed to get them out. 'C farm may be in trouble.' 'Is an airplane needed?' 'Fire looping around on hills to east side. It's gaining.' 'Cows are moved to T's pasture.' 'Let me know if more water is needed by plane.' 'I think it might be a good idea for one more load.' 'Where do you want it?' 'North end, west of dugout. Thanks.' 'Anyone have a chain saw? Need to cut some trees.' It was a combine header that started the blaze, something that could happen to anyone harvesting. Some crops were destroyed and some pastureland was burned, but it could have been much worse. No yard sites or cattle were lost. On the following day, this was posted from the farm with the header that started the blaze. 'Thanks to everyone. Not sure what we would have done without everyone's help.' Before modern communication, response times and organization would have been much poorer. Time is of the essence in limiting fire damage. Co-ordination makes the best use of available resources. I don't know how many areas have organized a fire alert on WhatsApp or a similar communication app, but I'd sure recommend it. Participants even use it to announce when they're doing controlled burns so the smoke doesn't needlessly alarm anyone. More than ever, farms have water trucks and discs available to fight fires, especially during harvest. Good communication is key to making the best use of available resources.