Calvert Responds To Forest Fire Policy Criticism

Calvert Responds To Forest Fire Policy Criticism

Wednesday, July 05, 2006 at 14:45

 

 

The FSIN is taking another swipe at Saskatchewan’s policies for fighting forest fires.

 

Vice-chief Delbert Wapass calls the policies “inadequate” — noting that the ramifications go beyond evacuations and lost timber.

 

Wapass says many First Nations citizens in the North with chronic lung conditions have paid a heavy price because of the so-called “let it burn” policy.

 

However, Wapass says the biggest setback that most northerners will realize is the loss of this year’s harvest of plants, roots and herbs.

 

He says not only is it the sole source of income for some people, but others rely on these natural remedies to improve their health.

 

Wapass says northern Dene and Woodland Cree communities will also be affected by the impact these fires have on trapping and berry-picking.

 

Premier Lorne Calvert says he knows questions are being asked of the government’s fire policy that allows certain blazes to roam unchecked unless they are within 20 kilometres of communities.

 

However, he says now is not the time to start pointing fingers when communities are still being threatened.

 

Calvert says the government’s fire policy will almost certainly be reviewed once the blazes have died down. But he doesn’t forsee any major policy shifts before that occurs.

 

Calvert also says he’s not sure how much money has been spent fighting the fires thus far, but he hopes to learn that later today.