A fire that sparked an idea: 1906 grass fire leads to establishment of HFD

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Soon after the blaze, discussions began about beginning a volunteer fire department. Kwasnica said council agreed to purchase lots along the railway tracks to create a new fire hall the following July. 

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“I think the budget back in 1907 was $7,000, which was fairly significant.” 

Kwasnica said a former HFD member, Marcel LeBlanc, put together a website called historyhfd.ca and it outlined the history of the Humboldt Fire Department, the fire that started the conversation around establishing the department, and a look at significant fires in the area, across the province, and around the world. 

The website included more information about the formation of the new HFD. 

“The ($7,000) purchase included a 25 horsepower gasoline engine, ladders, and hose. Humboldt’s first fire hall was located just north of what is now the Royal Canadian Legion Hall,” the entry read. “The fire engine and hose were stored in the front and the pump was in the back. A team of horses to pull the engine were kept in the station. Some members of the brigade slept upstairs.” 

The grass fire that launched the Humboldt Fire Department into existence brings back memories of last April, when extremely dry conditions led to numerous fire bans and several local grass fires. Kwasnica said the Saskatoon had a grass fire on Monday, and southern Saskatchewan has had several that they’ve had to contend with already this spring.  

“Up around here we do have a fairly significant snow coverage yet, which is good,” Kwasnica said. “The good part is with the late snow melt, we will hopefully have the green showing through fairly soon after the snow is gone, so we’re hoping for a nice, quiet spring.” 

Current conditions are a stark contrast to last year, when Kwasnica said the entire province was essentially in a state of emergency in early May, with multiple local departments going north to fight wildfires. Kwasnica said it’s great that there’s a significant snow cover in northern areas this year. 

The Humboldt Fire Department will be celebrating 120 years in 2027, and Kwasnica said they will be holding a celebration of some kind at that time. 

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com