SASKATCHEWAN - In Monday’s daily wildfire briefing by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations, explained why Saskatchewan hasn’t considered calling in the military for help, as Manitoba has. At least not yet.
The Canadian military has some unique assets, said Roberts, citing air evacuations such as those undertaken in Manitoba. However, he said, their actual firefighting assets are limited compared to assets that are qualified and trained from SPSA’s partner fire agencies.
From an operational point of view, he said, when a qualified experienced individual who knows how to fight fire is needed, the best bet is to bring them in from neighbouring wildfire agencies. The military does not do firefighting on an ongoing basis, he explained, so their ability to assist in that work is limited.
“That’s why we’re not bringing them in to date,” said Roberts.
So far, evacuations have been made with residents driving out in their own vehicles or being bused on roads still useable due to firefighting efforts.
“We are bringing highly qualified people in right now,” said Roberts, “and should we get a change in the weather and these fires start to moderate, we, of course, will then bring in local crews next, because … they are easier to support when they come from the local community.”
If the fire event takes on 2015 proportions, that would be the time to consider bringing in ground-based crews from the military, he said. In July of 2015, 850 Canadian Armed Forces members were sent to northern Saskatchewan to support local and provincial firefighting.
Roberts said the SPSA is grateful for firefighting partners who have come forward, including Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Yukon and the North West Territories who have come from across Canada to help Saskatchewan as well as support from U.S. neighbours, the states of Alaska, Oregon and Arizona.
“We appreciate their support as we fight through these very busy times and try to protect people, roads, access and get these fires contained as best as we can until we see a turn in the weather.”
Roberts said there are 16 active fires. Five are contained, six are not, four are being assessed and one is being fought solely to protect assets.
There have been 219 fires so far this year, compared with the five-year average of 131.
