Sask Party & Forest Fires: Let it burn . . . . !

[Oscar]

Experts Make Case for Letting Canada's Wildfires Burn

[ http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/07/11/Exper ... ign=110715 ]

Fires 'reset the landscape to be less flammable,' say researchers.

By Sutton Eaves, July 11, 2015, Desmog Canada

As climate change is fingered as a catalyst driving the early rash of forest fires across northern and western Canada, [ http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/ ... story.html ] experts say the most prudent approach at this stage is to, whenever possible, let the fires burn.

Western Canada is now enduring one of the worst wildfire seasons on record, with hundreds of people fleeing homes in B.C. and more than 13,000 evacuations across Saskatchewan. [ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3139554 ] But those studying the issue say the human costs of wildfire need to be balanced against research that suggests vulnerable forests are going to burn either way -- especially given the mounting pressures presented by climate change.

Fire agencies in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia explicitly name climate change as a factor driving heightened fire risks. The federal ministry that oversees development of the oilsands predicts the amount of area burned by forest fires in previous decades could double during this current one. [ http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/forests/fire-ins ... fire/13155 ]

''The question becomes, if we've got areas where fire can burn, the most responsible thing to do ecologically, fiscally and for long-term health is to let those fires burn,'' said Toddi Steelman, executive director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan.

''If we don't let them burn, we have to pay that account down the line… the forest will burn eventually.''

- - - SNIP - - - -

Officials in Saskatchewan have also created a policy that explicitly outlines where they will fight fires versus where they will observe and assess as a blaze progresses. [ http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/adx/as ... &l=English ]

''All our battles are decided based on our established priorities of importance to the province,'' Steve Roberts, executive director of
Saskatchewan's Wildfire Management Branch, said Friday. Fires within 20 kilometres of a settlement, for example, top the province's priority list. ''Public safety is number one and that includes communities and individuals. Public infrastructure is number two and these are receiving almost all of our attention at this time.''

The problem comes in places like Alberta where there's very little territory that doesn't have a value on it, Flannigan said.

''It's almost impossible to let a fire burn without it impacting an oil and gas development, community, or other operation. That's the problem with co-existing development and fire -- it's hard to let fire take its natural course.''

Politics vs. science

Deciding which fires pose a risk is not a simple task for many reasons.

Community members [ http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Prov ... story.html ] as well as local officials [ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1.3135482
] in northern Saskatchewan have criticized the government's policy for leaving remote communities vulnerable.

''If I'm a mayor of a small town, of course I'm going to be doing my job as mayor to lobby to get more resources on my fire. But they need to remember is that they may be one of many, many places that need those resources,'' Steelman said.

''The politics is different from what the science would suggest and that's not unusual in these kinds of debates.''

Given that climate impacts are already influencing the strength and spread of wildfire in Canada, Johnstone highlights the urgent need for a different conversation about how to approach the problem and possible solutions.

''If we acknowledge that we can't suppress every fire in the landscape and then take that one step further and come to terms with the idea that fire may actually be beneficial in terms of long-term landscape resilience, there needs to be a better dialogue with the public about what our plan is about how we’re going to fight fires.''

- - -

Sutton Eaves is a contributor to DeSmog Canada, where this story first appeared.


++++++++++++++++

SK NDP Have Questions on Sask Party and the Forest Fires

July 15, 2015

With over 13,000 people displaced as a result of forest fires in northern Saskatchewan, and with at least 86 homes, cabins and businesses destroyed, I know all Saskatchewan people have been deeply moved by the situation being faced by northerners.

I've seen a lot over these past few weeks as I've visited the fire zone several times at the invitation of local leadership. I've met brave northern firefighters, truckers, skidders, bulldozer and bobcat operators who have been on the front lines of the fire since day one, doing everything they can to protect homes, communities and businesses. I've witnessed firsthand the strength of many First Nations and municipal leaders who are working tirelessly to manage this crisis. And I've been inspired by many others who are helping out in extraordinary ways – making food for those on the front lines, feeding pets that had to be left behind, ensuring that vital equipment keeps functioning and looking after a lot of other details.

I've also met with many evacuees at shelters here in Saskatchewan and in Cold Lake, Alberta. Of course, they're tired, frustrated, anxious to get home, and concerned about what they'll find when they get home. But, above all, what I saw firsthand when visiting evacuees is a deep sense of community, genuine concern for one another and a tremendous love of northern Saskatchewan.

In addition to the special thanks to northern First Nations, municipal leaders and everyone involved in this huge effort, I’m proud to report that Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette and Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger have been working flat out to help with logistics, assist with evacuations, support those who remained behind to protect communities, visit evacuees, feed the evacuees' pets, advocate for additional resources and provide strong leadership in their constituencies.

In the days ahead, we'll certainly be asking a lot of questions about the actions and inactions of this government, and we'll be pushing for an independent review of their approach to forest fires, because we've heard a lot of frustration from northern leaders and residents and we know that many of the changes Doyle and Buckley have pushed for over the last several years were ignored by this government. But that's for the days ahead.

For now, we continue doing everything we can to support northern leaders and fire crews as they work to contain the blazes, and we continue doing everything we can to assist evacuees.

May a lot of rain (with no lightning) come very soon!

Best regards,

Cam

__

Cam Broten
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of Saskatchewan's New Democrats
http://www.ndpcaucus.sk.ca
http://www.saskndp.ca -=-=-

Saskatchewan NDP ·
1122 Saskatchewan Dr,
Regina, SK S4P 0C4, Canada

[Oscar]

WALL GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE SUPPORT OF PREMIERS FOR NATIONAL CONTINGENCY AND FIREFIGHTING TRAINING FOR CANADIAN FORCES

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... f-premiers ]

Released on July 17, 2015

Premier Brad Wall announced today that he is pleased that other premiers have joined Saskatchewan and BC to call on the federal government on measures that will improve preparedness and response to wildfires.

Wildfires across western Canada this summer have reinforced the need for a strong and coordinated emergency management and public safety system.

"This year's fires in Canada were unique in that there were multiple large forest fires in several jurisdictions at the same time," said Wall. "We need to be prepared in the event that this situation happens again in the future, and I believe that partnering with the federal government will help us accomplish that goal."

Wall said Wednesday he would like to ensure Canadian Forces receive additional training in fighting forest fires so that, in the event they are needed, they can provide assistance on the front line immediately.

Premiers will be requesting their ministers responsible for emergency measures to work with the federal government to:

•Explore the idea of creating a national supply of wildfire fighting equipment;
•Ensure that training is provided to Canadian Forces personnel in wildfire fighting techniques; and
•Evaluate and improve the existing agreement for sharing firefighting resources between provinces.

"We are grateful to all of those who have assisted Saskatchewan during this unprecedented fire season - all professional and volunteer firefighters both inside and outside our province, our Armed Forces, and private citizens who have all been necessary to battle the fires threatening many communities,” said Wall.

Wall said he was grateful to Premiers for agreeing to the idea of a national contingency for future wide-spread fires. -30-

For more information, contact:

Kathy Young, Executive Council, Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca