The cause of a grass fire behind the Cochrane Alliance Church mid-afternoon on May 5 is currently under investigation by the Cochrane Fire Service.

A grass fire engulfed one acre between the Alliance Church fence line on the CPR right away and up to the trackline, says Fire Chief David Humphrey. There was some damage to a shed immediately behind the church.

Humphrey says the proximity to the downtown core made it possible for the firefighters to respond quickly to the blaze and they utilized their bush buggies to take it down in short order.

He says some may think grass fires aren't much of a threat, but they are.

"Grass fires can spread rapidly and some people think they're pretty mundane, but it doesn't take very much for them to cause some damage," he says.  "We do have a little bit of damage on a garage structure storage shed right behind the Alliance Church, which we're investigating.":

The grass fire season is far from over and Humphreys says people should continue to be cautious.

"It's spring and I know you see green grass poking up all over the place, but all the grass and thatch underneath is dead dry and there's quite a build up there. Be cognizance of where you are. If you're a smoker, make sure your cigarette butts are thoroughly out and carry them out with you or contained them so they can't get into the grassland."

"If you see smoke report it to 911 and we'll take the appropriate action."