Firefighters from multiple departments responded to an early morning pig barn fire near Paradise Valley on April 2, containing the blaze before it could spread through the entire structure.
All animals inside the pig barn were safely moved away from the fire area, with no injuries reported.
Crews from Paradise Valley Fire Department were called out just before 6 a.m. for a reported structure fire in an agricultural building.
On arrival, the first officer reported heavy smoke pushing from the centre of the barn, triggering a second alarm for tanker support from Blackfoot Fire and Rescue and Kitscoty Fire Department. Additional resources, including County Fire Chief Kirk Hughes, ATCO, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, were also dispatched.
Firefighters established a rural water shuttle while crews advanced deep inside the building, locating the fire burning in the attic space.
Despite difficult conditions, crews were able to contain the fire before it spread further. Additional manpower from Islay Fire Department was requested to assist with suppression and rotation.
By 7:55 a.m., crews reported the fire was under control. Fresh teams moved in to carry out salvage and overhaul operations in the pig barn, checking for any remaining hot spots.
The fire was declared out at 9:32 a.m., with the scene turned over to the property owner.
The cause remains under investigation but is not considered suspicious.
Read more: County fire crews respond to first calls of 2026
