Training is underway as wildfire season approaches (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Wildfire preparedness

PAGC working to get fire crews ready

Apr 29, 2019 | 2:06 PM

It’s not too far into spring and already wildfires have been an issue in Saskatchewan and some parts of the northeast.

Due to the rise in risk, the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is working to get firefighters trained up.

“There will be several programs over the next several weeks to get everybody fire ready provincially,” said Cliff Buettner, forestry program director for the PAGC.

The training programs, which were running last week aimed to get firefighters trained to work in initial attack along with sustained action. This training is being run by the provincial government.

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Starting this week, the grand council is running sessions to certify people as crew leaders. Buettner said people taking part in training sessions are coming from all across the North.

The PAGC has an agreement with the provincial government where fire crews from their communities can be activated by the Wildfire Management Branch. Currently, there are 35 crews in 26 communities across the northeast.

“They could take any community crew and activate them to respond to a fire,” Buettner said.

Looking forward, Buettner said he expects to see activity in more southern areas dealing with grass fires as opposed to the North.

“Currently in the northern boreal forest, it’s not as much of a threat,” he said.

The North of the province has been helped by the amount of precipitation it has received.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn