FORT MACLEOD, Alta. - Police and fire officials are confirming that ashes from a wood-burning fireplace sparked a grass fire in southern Alberta last week.
The wind-whipped blaze near Fort Macleod destroyed several structures and prompted an evacuation alert before it was brought under control.
A followup investigation determined the ashes were put in a metal container in a nearby shed.
But winds gusting up to 100 kilometres an hour blew off the roof and scattered the ashes, which flared up and ignited.
RCMP say there will be no charges.
Two other grass fires also swept through southern Alberta last week.
© The Canadian Press, 2012