Northern Forest Fire Break Program Expanded

Northern Forest Fire Break Program Expanded

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 14:44

The federal and provincial governments are working with the Prince Albert Grand Council on a project to build fire breaks in 24 northern Saskatchewan communities.

Both Ottawa and the province have extended their funding, bringing the total for the project to over $2.1 million.

With the additional funding, four more northern communities will be able to create jobs by building fire breaks.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says the program has been good for her community and is a unique arrangement.

Cook-Searson notes this funding covers fire breaks that are on-reserve, when usually only off-reserve work is funded.

She also hopes it will reduce the amount of fire-related evacuations, because she says those events are hard on northern citizens.