Northern Forest Firefighters Sent To Quebec
Tuesday, June 07, 2005 at 13:23
Over 50 of northern Saskatchewan’s top forest firefighters are in Quebec today to assist two communities there threatened by flames.
The first battalion of Type 1 firefighters flew out to Val d’Or on Saturday with a second unit departing yesterday for Chibougamau.
The firefighters are joining a small group of aircraft that were initially sent to Quebec on June 2nd to help that province deal with a significant number of out-of-control fires.
Prince Albert Fire Centre spokesman John Cook says the Quebec government requested Type 1 firefighters because of their expertise at attacking serious fires.
Cook adds the transfer of personnel is paid for by the province of Quebec and does not come out of the Saskatchewan budget.
The Saskatchewan fire crews are expected to stay in Quebec helping fight the blazes for approximately two weeks.