The yellow areas are proposed zones for forest vegetation thinning. (Northern Village of Air Ronge/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

FireSmart

Air Ronge resident launches petition in opposition to proposed tree cutting plan

Nov 30, 2020 | 1:12 PM

An Air Ronge resident is unhappy with proposed tree cutting near Gordon Denny Community School.

A wildfire mitigation work tender closes Dec. 4, which includes a plan that sets operations recommended by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. The Northern Municipal Services tender notes the provincial government is moving into year two of a nine-year plan and the three communities identified for forest vegetation thinning and brush pile burning services are Air Ronge, Denare Beach and La Ronge.

At the Nov. 25 regular Air Ronge council meeting, the Community Fuel Management Plan, which involves the work, was approved.

“I’m hoping to have some clarification on the practice they have been implementing around town, which is FireSmart and Air Ronge is hoping to follow suit,” Larissa Muirhead said. “I want them to get a risk assessment done on the area to see if it’s necessary to go in and clear it as much as they do.”

Muirhead, who recently launched a petition which has gained 136 signatures by Nov. 30, explained such tree cutting has already occurred behind her home and she’s critical of the work done. She noted there are still brush piles that remain a fire threat and the moss has dried up as well.

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Muirhead also isn’t entirely against wildfire mitigation as she agrees brush along the trails behind Gordon Denny needs to be removed. She would like the dead trees cut down and for the public to be allowed to collect firewood if there is any.

“You don’t have to clear six to eight-feet between every tree just to get a certificate to say we are a FireSmart community,” Muirhead said. “A lot of people are upset about these areas being cut the way they are and there’s very little consultation to the community or even giving us a voice to say we don’t want it done this way.”

Muirhead mentioned she’s been in contact with Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk, who advised her to contact administration about her concerns and petition. Muirhead is hopeful her concerns can be addressed before tree clearing in the area begins.

larongeNOW reached out to Baschuk for an interview, but she was unavailable by publishing.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno