The sudden and dramatic downpour last week helped keep the fire danger index down in the Estevan area, but that doesn't mean the fire department got to spend the weekend being idle. They even received a call early this morning to get their week started. 

Fire crews were called to a residential fire alarm in the north-central area of the city at about 7:30 this morning. As it turned out, someone had tried to start their day off with a big breakfast and let off a little too much steam.  

"Crews did arrive on-scene to find the homeowner was preparing breakfast there when it created a little too much smoke and set off the fire alarm system," said Fire Chief Dale Feser. "There wasn't enough smoke to warrant any ventilation efforts by the fire department, the homeowner was reminded to ensure they are the first point of contact should a fire alarm go off."

Feser pointed out that sometimes detection heads can be very sensitive and if they're placed close to the kitchen it can cause them to go off with little provocation. Fortunately, this call proved not to be very serious. 

"Right out of the gates Monday morning," Feser said with a chuckle. "It did smell pretty good though, I think it was bacon and eggs. There was just enough smoke to set it off, a light hazing there."

Last night, the department got called out to something a little more than a light haze of smoke. They were dispatched to a home in the northwest area of the city for a smoke investigation at about 4:30 in the afternoon. 

"Once crews arrived on-scene there, there was a little bit of smoke visible from a back yard," said Feser. "On further inspection, there was a firepit being utilized in the back yard. However, the homeowner was burning small twigs and leaves, which created a lot of smoke and migrating embers."

Crews asked the homeowner to stop burning any tree branches and make sure their screen was in place over the pit. Feser reminded the public that under City of Estevan bylaws, small branches, twigs, and leaves are not allowed to be burned in fire pits.