SaskParty Waiting For Answers About Forest Fires

SaskParty Waiting For Answers About Forest Fires

Friday, September 08, 2006 at 15:24

The Saskatchewan Party is wondering why the Standing Committee on the Economy has not responded to its concerns about provincial forest fire policy.

Opposition Northern Affairs critic Denis Allchurch says he wrote a letter to committee chair Warren McCall three weeks ago about this summer’s close call in Stony Rapids, but has yet to receive a response.

Allchurch says local residents felt abandoned by their government when the Noel fire threatened the community.

He says the province’s so-called “let it burn” policy is to blame, since the fire wasn’t acted on right away because it started outside a 20-kilometre radius of the community.

Allchurch says it’s imperative the legislative committee on the economy hold an inquiry to address how the fire was handled, and how government policy is endangering the lives and property of northerners.

The forest fire came within 900 metres of Stony Rapids, narrowly missing the community’s new hospital.