Forest Fire Crews Using New Weapon

Forest Fire Crews Using New Weapon

Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 14:33

A new tool is being used in the fight against forest fires in northern Saskatchewan this year.

Crews with Saskatchewan Environment now have a hose and sprinkler system at their disposal which can soak down a six-kilometre stretch of line within minutes.

Heavy equipment technician Darcy Stead is one of the officials who helped streamline the new system.

He says it’s extremely effective in protecting property and uses less manpower than traditional methods.

The system pumps out 15-hundred gallons of water per minute and can be stretched over rough terrain like bogs and hills.

He adds the system was recently used with great success against fires in B.C. and was a big help in keeping a forest fire at bay near Key Lake earlier this summer.

Stead adds some national parks are also interested in the new system.