Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
NWT ramps up FireSmart program to stop property loss 14 Tuesday June 2 2015 ENVIRONMENT WILDFIRES Congratulations PWK Grads 2015 The Legion Branch 239 knew you could do it we are proud of you. Congratulations We applaud your courage to pursue your dreams and salute you on this tremendous milestone. Congratulations on your High School graduation and good luck in future endeavours. www.auroracollege.nt.ca Your Career Starts Here High School Graduates of 2015 By DALI CARMICHAEL This time last year there were about four res just starting to burn in the NWT. As of publication time crews from the department of Environment and Natural Resources ENR have ofcially counted 51 already in 2015. Though the wildre season is a natural part of life in the boreal forest there are steps communities and individuals can take to pro- tect their property and their values at risk according to government ofcials by follow- ing a series of re-prevention measures laid out by the nation-wide FireSmart program. What exactly does it mean to be FireSmart Essentially it boils down to site prepara- tion so that when a wildre encroaches upon a populated area - be it a city hamlet or a cabin in the bush - the structures there have a chance to remain standing. Its basic prin- ciples push for the removal of ammable de- bris immediately surrounding values at risk from towerlines to houses. Materials include anything from dry easily ignited evergreen trees planted outside a family home to dis- carded materials piled up at the edge of town. It also outlines property planning strate- gies and construction materials that can be used to limit the impact of surrounding wild- res on a structure. FireSmarting the NWT The number one priority identied in the review of last years re season in the NWT was a need to increase public engagement in eliminating wildres by increasing com- munication with residents. Understanding GNWT forest management policies opera- tions practices limitations and the princi- ples of FireSmart all fall under that umbrella. WerecurrentlydevelopingaFireSmartmar- ketingplansaidWesSteedrepreventionco- ordinatorwithENRandheadoftheterritorys FireSmartprogramming.Theresadisconnect. Lots of people know what FireSmart is its the doing which is an issue. Everybody thinks they have to do it in two days but FireSmart is a whole change in our thinking just like seat- belt safety. Ten years ago nobody wore their seatbelts I saw kids standing up in the front seat of their truck with dads arm across them. You dont see that anymore. Already a majority of districts have FireSmart wildre plans but ENR is help- ing implement more practical preventive measures. This year the department will start run- ning hands-on community workshops in the regions starting in the capital. Employees with the City of Yellowknife ENR and the department of Industry Tourism and Invest- ment are set to learn how to plan FireSmart initiatives for the region and the values at risk there. Eventually the hope is to provide this kind of training opportunity across the NWT. ENR has also started offering consulta- tion services to towns looking to carry out their own FireSmart projects. Earlier this year Fort Smith used this service to provide quality checks on a series of initiatives hap- pening in the town. Eventually Steed hopes this kind of quality assurance programming becomes codied into policies similar to the way structures must adhere to guidelines set out by the re marshal. To help spread the word about FireSmart tactics that can be used in the bush ENR has recruited the help of NWT airlines. FireSmart manuals are being shipped to a variety of ight companies with the idea they will be slipped into the back of passenger seats to be read in transit especially in craft used to y people to properties in the bush. Finally ENR is using good old-fashioned competition to encourage property owners to follow FireSmart guidelines. Were asking people who have structures or cabins out on the land to take before and after pictures of their cabins their homes of FireSmart activity Steed said. From that theyll be entered into a contest for a home- owners sprinkler kit. It comes with a little pump and some sprinklers. Funding for the marketing campaign comes from 75000 budgeted by ENR to be used towards community protection operations. This is a long-term implementation. This is going to take time but every little bit helps Steed said. With FireSmart I say you start beside your house and work your way out. For more on FireSmart in the NWT head to www.nwtre.com. PhotoDaliCarmichael A new wildland re engine purchased by ENR carries the principles of FireSmart on its doors as a reminder to emergency crews as they protect values-at-risk during the re season.