WASKESIU LAKE, SASKATCHEWAN, May 9, 2019 – Parks Canada is conducting a prescribed fire in the Waskesiu Community Fuel Break (CFB). Parks Canada conducts annual prescribed fires in the CFB to reduce the amount of forest fuels and risk of wildfire to Waskesiu townsite. Click here to view a map of the prescribed area.
Parks Canada takes wildfire preparedness including risk reduction activities seriously. Through safe and effective fire management, the danger of wildfire to the public, infrastructure and neighbouring lands is reduced, while the ecological health of forests and grasslands is improved.
The safety of the people, infrastructure and neighbouring lands is always Parks Canada’s number one priority. It takes roughly 9 fire personnel, one half day to complete the burn, which is then monitored for several days to ensure it is extinguished. The result is a green belt that quickly grows in after the fire and provides a defendable line to work from should a wildfire threaten Waskesiu.
Smoke will be visible in and around Waskesiu, and intermittent road closures may occur as fire personnel are working in the ditches.
Never seen how a prescribed fire is conducted? Watch the video, Waskesiu: reducing the risk of wildfire.
Members of the public can also help maintain the Waskesiu CFB. In 2018, 150 permits were given out to cut down a free CFB Christmas tree. Stay tuned for Christmas Tree Harvest 2019!