Fire Ban in Effect

Due to the increasingly dry conditions and higher fire danger ratings, the FIRE RESTRICTION has been upgraded to a FIRE BAN, for Saddle Hills County. 

This applies to all areas outside of the Forest Protection Area, including private land, crown land, and recreational areas.

Prohibited

All outdoor wood fires, including burning barrels, wood campfires be it on private land or in County campgrounds, campfires in back country or random areas, BBQ charcoal briquettes, fireworks and exploding targets, and burning of brush piles, windrows, or other debris.

Allowed 

Propane/natural gas powered appliances, open flame oil devices, such as turkey deep fryers or tiki torches, and indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor. All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer's standards. 

This FIRE BAN will remain in place until conditions improve. Fire danger levels will be reviewed daily and may be downgraded subject to available firefighting resources and fire weather conditions.

We expect the FIRE BAN to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Saddle Hills County, while allowing residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.

Fourth Creek

The Fourth Creek School District was established in 1955 when the Spirit River School Division supplied materials and a carpenter for building a one-room school with living quarters attached, and a small stable.

The school was built on the NE 22-81-8 W6 and was opened in November with 11 students. Vivian Haugland was the first supervisor and Mrs. Evelyn Lambert followed her from 1956-58. The first teacher was Mrs. Phyllis Hessler in 1958, followed by Martin Fritz and Pauline Halikowski. In 1961, the original Silver Valley School along with students were relocated to Fourth Creek.

This meant two classrooms and two teachers and students bussed. In 1962, Mel and Jean Larsen operated the school and in 1963, Phyllis Hessler returned to be principal and Monica Torgerson taught grades 1-5. In 1964 another classroom was added (conversion of the unused atable) and Mrs. Lehman was principal with Miss Halikowski and Mrs Torgerson teachers.

The school closed at the end of 1965 and the buildings were moved to Savanna and then sold to Henry Hessler. The stable was donated to the Horseshoe of the Peace Historical Society to be used as a museum.

Source: https://southpeacearchives.org/finding-aids/fourth-creek-school-district-5044-fonds/

 Have any stories or information you want to share about our history? Just drop us a line at communications@saddlehills.ab.ca.

With thanks to the South Peace Regional Archives

South Peace Regional Archives began operating in January 2000 as a project of the Grande Prairie Museum and a member of the Archives Society of Alberta. On July 30, 2007 the South Peace Regional Archives Society was formed.

All persons interested in having a voice in the preservation of archival records in the South Peace Country of Alberta are encouraged to become members.

 

 

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Preserving Our History – Telling Our Stories

SPRA is a charitable organization. We welcome your donations through CanadaHelps.org

Contact Us

Saddle Hills
Junction of Hwy 49 & Secondary Hwy 725
RR1, Spirit River AB
T0H 3G0
T. 780-864-3760
Fax 780-864-3904
Toll-free 1-888-864-3760
frontdesk@saddlehills.ab.ca

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