Training for firefighters began again as of today. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

wildfire forecast

La Ronge Regional Fire Department to resume training, accept PPE delivery

Jun 1, 2020 | 5:23 PM

May was an average month for calls for service at the La Ronge Regional Fire Department, but Acting-Chief Keaton Cloud expects this summer to be busier.

He believes this to be the case based on the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s wildfire outlook that warned last month conditions in the province were ideal for sparks to fly. As of June 1, the fire weather index for the La Ronge area was moderate. However, in most of the southern half of the province it’s extreme. So far in 2020, there have been 58 fires with 163 being the five-year average.

“We plan on doing prescribed burns later this month in high-risk and historically troubled areas,” Cloud said. “However, this depends on COVID-19 restrictions.”

The fire department also expects to restart training as of today with a modified schedule. Cloud noted training will be completed in temporarily in platoons to meet the guidelines and restrictions from the provincial government, adding social distancing will be practiced as much as possible.

As with others in Saskatchewan, the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is expected to open today at half capacity. According to public health orders, people will only be able to camp in every other site and some facilities will be closed. Beaches, picnic areas, playgrounds, showers and laundry services all might not be available for public use.

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With a large portion of the province’s wildfires caused by people, Cloud mentioned campers should use the designated fire pits provided, only burn wood, keep the fire a manageable size and to never leave a fire unattended. For those with fire pits in their yard, Cloud recommends keeping the pit well away from structures.

“Fires become too large that it gets out of control,” he said, adding the burning of aerosol cans and other dangerous materials are also common ways for fire to become unmanageable.

The fire department also recently accepted a range of personal protective equipment from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to use as a precaution against the coronavirus this summer. Firefighters were sent surgical masks, safety glasses, face shields, sanitizers and latex gloves.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno