An example of a fuel management project. Photo courtesy Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Wildfire Management brochure
The Ministry of Environment says they have put in a proposal for fuel management projects in 19 different communities across the north.
These projects would see crews thinning volatile forests and removing dead-fall to help reduce the risk of forest fires.
The proposal was put together in partnership between the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Ministry of Environment and they are currently awaiting official word from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
“We haven’t heard anything for sure if our proposal is accepted 100 per cent,” says Larry Fremont Education and Prevention Coordinator with the Ministry’s Wildfire Prevention Branch.
“They certainly have committed to funding a portion of it already.”
Given that Fremont still couldn’t speak fully on how many of the proposed projects he expects to be approved.
“But considering what is going on nationally I think there is a pretty good chance that we are going to see the majority of the funding come in, so we can carry out that work as proposed.”
Last year 15 different fuel management projects took place in the province.
Fremont says it is a costly process, but he says it is proven to help prevent the spread of forest fires.