Lac La Ronge Indian Band is looking for volunteers willing to be trained as firefighters to help battle the blaze spreading across the northern parts of the province.
Fires continue to spread across northern Saskatchewan, with one fire alone covering upwards of 95,000 hectares just two kilometres from the La Ronge community. To put that number into perspective, 95,000 hectares is an area five-and-a-half times the size of Saskatoon.
As of Friday afternoon, 119 active fires were burning in Saskatchewan. Year to date, the total number of fires in the province is 604, compared to 220 fires by the same time last year.
As of Friday afternoon, 56 fires were burning in the La Ronge area alone, and band chief Tammy Cook-Searson was searching for upwards of 250 volunteers. The chief had originally posted the request on Facebook and it was picked up by media outlets.
Volunteers would normally go through a five-day training course to prepare for firefighting. However, Duane McKay with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment said they are looking at getting volunteers in the field sooner.
“We’re looking at ways to shorten it, but to make sure [the volunteers] are fully qualified,” said McKay.
Extending daily sessions to reduce the five-day training course would have firefighters ready sooner,
he said.
“The target is [to increase the resources] in the next 10 days,” McKay said Thursday morning.
Volunteers will be required to complete blood work and fitness test and must be able to walk one mile in less than 16 minutes.
According to The Star Phoenix, the province of Saskatchewan has not requested the volunteers, but it will support and train people willing to help.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for much of northern Saskatchewan and some fires are expected to burn for months to come.
Fire crews are working to fight fires close to communities, but many of the blazes continue to burn in remote locations where they pose less harm to communities.
“Those fires might burn for quite some time,” said McKay. “The large…remote area fires might burn well into the summer months.”
McKay says the priority remains keeping communities safe, with the focus on populated areas.
“Our focus is making sure the fire risk in the communities is reduced,” said McKay.
People interested in volunteering can contact the ministry of environment’s client service office at 800-567-4224.
