The Bell fire north of Hudson Bay continues to grow in size and intensity. (Submitted/ PAGC)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fire response

Northern leaders questioning province’s wildfire fighting response

Oct 5, 2021 | 3:00 PM

The Chief of Red Earth Cree Nation fears fires burning in the region may continue for weeks or possibly months, and he has no idea when evacuated community members may get the green light to return home.

Fabian Head spoke to reporters Tuesday morning during a ZOOM press conference and explained he would like to see his area receive the same sort of attention given to the Prince Albert and Smeaton areas last Spring.

“Our hunting lands, our ancestral lands, and our trap lands are at stake,” he said.

The fires and smoke that are coming into the area from the Crackling River and the foothills of the Pasquia Hills are closer to the communities than the Bell Fire, which has increased to 46,500 hectares from Sunday.

As of Tuesday morning, upwards of 900 people had been evacuated from Shoal Lake and Red Earth Cree Nations. While several hundred have travelled to Prince Albert, the majority are staying in Saskatoon and Regina. Head explained the sudden displacement, and feelings of being forced to leave, has been especially difficult for elders.

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“Obviously that triggers some residential school drama that occurred in the past,” he said.

Added to the frustrations of leaders are feelings the fires could have been prevented had there been an active ongoing response since July when the Bell fire was started. Head questioned why resources have been pulled away.

“Now we are in this situation because of those decisions as well when we are not included. We’re feeling the impacts now,” he said.

Chief Fabian Head. (ZOOM)

Heavy smoke is at this time the biggest threat but leaders are worried about the potential future risk to power lines and infrastructure, as well as the long term economic impact from lands that are still being used for hunting and trapping.

On Monday, both Fabian Head and Marcel Head, Chief of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, were given the opportunity, via a helicopter ride, to get an aerial view of the fires. Marcel Head said he was amazed to not see any crews or heavy equipment working on the fires.

“Theres something obviously wrong with that picture and we are just not too sure what it is but we will find out,” he said.

Chief Marcel Head. (ZOOM)

Acknowledging that the evacuation process has been even more challenging during a pandemic, Marcel Head thanked agencies such as Prince Albert Grand Council and the Canadian Red Cross for their support, but added he would like to see some form of commitment from the Premier and the provincial government.

“At what point do you declare a real state of emergency,” he asked.

Head explained that if the province cannot help, the communities will find their own resources and put the fires out themselves.

Response from Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA)

There are currently 12 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan, including several in the east-central part of the province. According to a statement provided by the SPSA, crews have been mobilized from across the province and are attacking the fires in the Hudson Bay region with tanker, helicopter and ground crews.

“Crews have also been redeployed to address smaller fire starts in the area in order to prevent them from growing into larger fires,” the statement said.

The statement goes on to explain four Type 2 crews (including three from Red Earth Cree Nation and Shoal Lake Cree Nation) have been deployed on fires in this area. Additional Type 3 firefighters from Shoal Lake have been hired for these fires. Weyerhaeuser forestry staff and equipment have also been assisting with fire response efforts.

“The SPSA is continuing to reach out to local communities to hire qualified Type 2 and Type 3 crews,” the SPSA said.

In response to the increase in fire activity in the region, the SPSA also issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands, including provincial parks located with the fire ban area, for most of east-central Saskatchewan.

The SPSA also assured they have remained in constant contact with community leadership, and have worked directly with communities to provide air scrubbers to help improve the air quality.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell