Sask. agency denies claims of 'let it burn policy' as petition circulates to save Indigenous land from wildfire
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is denying claims circulating in an online petition that the government has a policy of letting wildfires burn unless they’re threatening communities.
The petition to end the supposed “let it burn” policy states the lack of response in remote areas is ruining Indigenous land, trap lines and cabins, leaving community members to put themselves in danger and protect these resources on their own.
It was launched by Rebecca Sylvestre, who’s from Turnor Lake. She said she first took firefighter training through the province back in the 1980s, and hasn’t been called in to help fight wildfires since 2001.
“Our land needs to be saved because we have children growing up that are going to live sustainably off these lands. If we have no land left, we have no trap lines left, where are we going to teach our children?” she questioned.
She said she wants the province to bring in more local firefighters, like it did when she first began firefighting.
“It created jobs, it saved our wilderness. It did so much for us,” said Sylvestre.
“It’s just something written on your resume that you’ve never been able to experience because you can’t go on the fire line anymore.”
Her dad, Ron Desjardin, spent three days with his brother fighting a fire that was threatening their cabin. They also lost their trap line, which has been passed on through generations.
Sylvestre said she’s sent the petition to several northern communities, including driving to La Loche herself, and will continue collecting signatures into September. She said she also has the support of Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger.
Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations with the SPSA, said the province responded to wildfires based by zones up until 2015.
That policy has since been scrapped, but he said their response is still about prioritizing protecting communities and critical infrastructure.
"It doesn't mean that we don't fight fires that only pose threat, for instance, to commercial timber or maybe just a highway, where there's no communities nearby. We still set those priorities, especially when we're busy, they become extremely important,” said Roberts.
“Let it burn policy implies that nothing happens – we don’t know what’s happening, we don’t do anything.”
Roberts said the SPSA has been in contact with Indigenous leaders, and has recruited trained firefighters to help protect their own Indigenous communities.
He said the SPSA has not had to recruit crews from outside of Saskatchewan.
OVER 100 WILDFIRES STILL ACTIVE
As of Thursday afternoon, the SPSA says 130 wildfires are active in Saskatchewan.
Eighteen of those are not contained, meaning the fire is expected to grow. Eighty-five are still being assessed and crews are focused on protecting values, like cabins and other infrastructure, for 21 of the fires.
The SPSA’s latest update lists four “wildfires of note” near Stony Rapids, Grandmother’s Bay, Stanley Mission and Smeaton.
“We’ve had no major rain events. We’ve had scattered showers, we’ve had small systems, but no significant rain events to really knock those (fires back),” said Roberts.
“Even though we’re able to put 15 fires out, in the next two-day period we’ve got another 15 new ones. It’s been sort of a pretty busy grind for the last five weeks.”
The Air Quality Index for Saskatchewan lists Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert as high risk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.