The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says there are now 83 wildfires burning in the province with 475 fires to date this year and 328 being the five-year average. The SPSA has flagged the Flanagan fire northwest of Sandy Bay. It is one of five wildfires in the province that is not contained. Also in the area is the SaskPower Island Falls Hydroelectric Power Station.
The community north of Pelican Narrows has been evacuated because of the proximity of the escalating Flanagan Fire. The leadership of the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation are urgently calling on immediate action and accountability from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. PBCN Chief Peter Beauty is advocating for the immediate recruitment of hundreds of First Nation firefighters who have already trained at the Type 3 level, to help get the wildfire under control.
A news release from the Grand Council and the Cree Nation says the SPSA has said no because it is too dangerous because they don’t have the proper equipment, and more specifically, the proper coveralls. Chief Beatty emphasizes that PAGC’s Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management has access to all the necessary gear and the recruits are fit, experienced and ready to help. He says, “Our people are ready to protect their land, but they are being denied the opportunity because the SPSA isn’t prioritizing the resources needed to ensure their safety.”
According to the daily bulletin update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency that was issued today (Wed), the fire is within 20 kilometres of the community. Bulldozers are building a guard around the town, and crews and equipment, including air tankers and helicopters, are attacking the fire. There are two other fires of note including the Davis fire north of Missinipe and the Wakefield fire southwest of Wollaston Lake.
Meanwhile, there was a joint funding announcement today (Wed) by the federal and provincial government for $47.7 million in total over five years to help with equipment for managing wildfires and to help communities become more resilient through the FireSmart program. This is on top of last year’s federal funding of over a half-million dollars to the Prince Albert Grand Council Indigenous Wildfire Stewards Pilot Program to train firefighters.
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation consists of eight communities and is one of 12 First Nations which fall under the umbrella of Prince Albert Grand Council.
