By Nigel Maxwell

Forest fires down in 2011

Jul 15, 2011 | 7:15 AM

Saskatchewan's forests are getting a break this year.

At this time last year there had been 342 forest fires, so far this year there have been 239. The ten year average for this time of year is 381.

According to Brent Krayetski, the provincial wildland fire co-ordinator, a number of lightning strikes kept them on their toes last year.

“We had probably over a 100 starts in a two week period there. You throw 100 starts on the 239 that we have now and we are right we were last year,” Krayetski said.

Even though the number of fire starts is down this year, that does not mean fire crews have had an easier job. Crews have been helping with the flood relief efforts in Southern Saskatchewan.

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“I think we have sent 190 people south to assist with the clean-up and sand bagging and those kinds of efforts also. Right now we will be listing staff on the national website for exports and aircraft,” he said.

Krayetski said conditions up north remain quite dry and there are a number of fires burning, but none that pose any real concern.

nmaxwell@panow.com