Fire department prepared for wildfire season

The command trucks were purchased for $147,000. The upgraded trucks are an important addition considering one of the old trucks experienced a failure during the Pisew wildfire last summer when the engine went into low power mode and reduced its speed to 20 kilometers per hour. Town administration previously stated fortunately, the incident occurred near the fire hall and not near the head of the wildfire as it would have put staff at serious risk.

“We also have a new wildland/pumper apparatus on order to replace our 1998 apparatus we currently use for urban brush fires. This is scheduled to arrive early 2027,” Cloud noted.

The fire department currently has 26 firefighters with two of them being seasonal full-time firefighters living in the newly constructed fire station bedrooms. The bedrooms were estimated to cost $18,000 in the 2026 capital budget.

“The new seasonals have moved into the fire hall on April 6 and contract ends Oct. 31. With the new living facilities in the fire station, we’ve seen faster response times for all fire calls,” Cloud wrote.

Blake Power and Destiny Pfeiffer, both of Ontario. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge Regional Fire Department)

The seasonal firefighters are Blake Power and Destiny Pfeiffer, both of Ontario. During the day, they have been assisting with general fire hall and annual equipment maintenance, fire inspections, daily truck checks, public events, and responding to lower priority calls to alleviate the workload off the fire chief and deputy-chief, so they can focus on other tasks and various projects throughout the community.

Cloud added it is difficult to say at this time how busy the wildfire season will be. He said the North has been fortunate to have a slower melt and lots of snowpack still on the ground. While he believes it will be a slower spring, he expects calls to pick up in June or July.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Fire department prepared for wildfire season

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