Cypress County Firefighter killed while combatting wildfire

Redcliff RCMP -  A Cypress County Firefighter was killed during the efforts to combat a wildfire north of Medicine Hat last night.

On October 17, a grassfire ignited in Cypress County near township road 180 approximately 5 miles west of Highway 41. The fire grew rapidly in size and moved quickly eastward due to high winds and dry fuels. Cypress County Fire Fighters and RCMP evacuated the communities of Hilda and Schuler due to the risk posed by the fire.

The fire moved east into Saskatchewan and Cypress County fire fighters assisted Saskatchewan fire fighters to fight the fire near the communities of Leader and Burstall. During the fire-fighting efforts, a collision occurred between water truck and pick-up truck. The lone occupant of the water truck, a 34-year-old male and volunteer fire fighter from Cypress County died at the scene.

This tragic loss of life speaks to the danger that this emergency posed and also to the heroism of the volunteers who sacrifice in service of their neighbors. The RCMP extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of the deceased as well as his friends and colleagues in the Cypress County fire department.

Update as reported by CTV:  The deceased man has been identified as James Hargrave, a 34-year-old volunteer firefighter stationed out of Walsh, Alberta.

Southern Alberta RCMP wildfires summary

RCMP Alberta - In the late afternoon and evening hours on October 17, several communities across southern Alberta were impacted by severe, fast moving wildfires which were driven by extremely high winds. RCMP officers conducted evacuations of 10 communities in 6 counties/municipal districts. Rural residences and farms in these counties were also evacuated in many areas. These evacuations were carried out by officers in eight different RCMP detachments working in partnership with local firefighters, peace officers and citizens.

At this time, a full assessment of the damages resulting from these fires has not yet been completed. “The events of yesterday are unprecedented. We have never had emergencies and evacuations affecting so many communities at once.” says RCMP Chief Superintendent Tony Hamori, Officer in Charge of Southern Alberta District. “ I am proud of the efforts of our RCMP officers and employees and I thank all of our community partners for their significant role in managing these fires.”

A summary of each RCMP detachment’s current emergency status is provided below.

Fatal MVC near Elkwater

RCMP Alberta - Redcliff RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision about 5 kilometers south of Elkwater shortly after 6:30 this morning. The collision, along Highway 41, resulted from the driver failing to negotiate a curve in the road. The reason why this occurred is still under investigation. A 46 year old male, a resident of Medicine Hat, is deceased.

RCMP wish to remind motorists that use of a smart-phone by a driver is considered distracted driving. During the investigation, the driver of a vehicle coming through the scene was witnessed by police to be taking photographs. This driver was ticketed by members. It is illegal, unsafe and disrespectful when driving through a collision scene to be taking photographs of a scene under investigation.

Redcliff RCMP investigate property crimes

RCMP Alberta - Redcliff RCMP are investigating a break, enter and theft into a residence in Redcliff, and the theft of a 5th wheel trailer from Dunmore.   Stolen from the break and enter were jewelry, tools and several hockey jerseys. It is believed to have occurred between July 1 and July 2, 2017

The 5th Wheel trailer is a 2009 Montana 5th Wheel, 40' in length, Model 3465. The trailer was reported stolen on June 26, 2017, and has been missing for an unknown period.

If anyone has any knowledge regarding either of these two crimes, please contact Redcliff RCMP at (403)548-2288 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Redcliff RCMP identify their man (updated)

RCMP Alberta - RCMP in Redcliff are happy to report that the man (they were asking about earlier today) has been identified. The RCMP would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

"We are especially grateful to the folks at South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue for their work over the past couple of days," says RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters,. "They provided a great service and a lot of people to help us reunite this family."

Fatal single vehicle rollover near Redcliff

RCMP Alberta - On August 22, 2016 at approximately 1:45 pm, Redcliff RCMP members responded to a single vehicle rollover on Township Road 114. A vehicle being driven by a 62 year old woman entered the ditch and rolled. The driver succumbed to her injuries at the scene and one male passenger in the vehicle and was injured, was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment and held overnight.

No alcohol or drugs are suspected in this incident and no charges are pending. Names of the persons involved will not be released.

Minor Cypress County collision involving police vehicle

RCMP Alberta - This morning at 8:30 am, an RCMP police vehicle was involved in a collision on Highway 3 in Cypress County. The police vehicle was driving eastbound, passing Township 120. A truck turning on to Highway 3 from Township 120 drove in front of the police vehicle, resulting in a collision.  The lone occupant of the truck was not injured.

Man tries to steal a car during police pursuit near Redcliff

RCMP Alberta – On July 1, 2016 Redcliff RCMP received three separate calls of an erratic driver driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed and passing people on the fast lane shoulder. The RCMP was advised that the vehicle was observed travelling at 163 km / hr in a 110 km zone.

RCMP members from Redcliff responded and stopped the vehicle travelling westbound on Highway 1 near Box Springs Road. The driver of the vehicle stopped due to a flat tire, immediately exited his vehicle and approached the driver of another vehicle parked close by and attempted to forcefully remove the driver of the vehicle from his vehicle. When RCMP members from the Redcliff Detachment approached the driver of the fleeing vehicle to prevent the attempted robbery, the drive refused to cooperate. After much struggle the driver of the fleeing vehicle was placed under arrest. No injuries were reported.

Redcliff RCMP charge Medicine Hat man with Child Luring and Sexual Assault

RCMP Alberta - On Friday, June 24, 2016, Redcliff RCMP entered into an investigation with regards to a sexual assault and child luring incident involving a female teenage resident of Cypress County.

Aaron Curtis Diaz, age 37, of Medicine Hat, Alberta, has been charged with 2 counts of Sexual Assault, 1 count of Distributing Sexually Explicit Material to a Child and one count of Luring a Person Under 18 Years by Means of Telecommunication. There was no connection between Diaz and the victim outside of social media.