|
Fire permits required for any burning this spring
Barb Toker
for Smoky River Express
April 1 marks the official kick-off to fire season across the Peace Country and early indications are that this could be a busy year for firefighters with Sustainable Resource Development (SRD).
“Basically we got about 80 per cent of our normal snowfall, so we are aware that things are a little dry out there,” said SRD Information Officer, Crystal Burrows.
While the fire hazard is currently low, SRD is beginning to “man-up”, positioning firefighting resources throughout the province.
“We started about a week ago,” Burrows said. “It depends on the hazard. Our main areas are Chinchaga and on the Haig Lake Road near Cadotte Lake. We strategically place people where they are needed. We’ve got some people at Kimiwan (near McLennan).”
Burrows said towers will be opening up on April 9.
Fire permits are required for any burning. The permits are free of charge and available through the SRD office in Peace River.
“Anyone needing a burning permit can call our office,” Burrows said. “Basically they just call us and we’ll go out and do a site inspection (to ensure safe burning conditions).”
Burrows also encourages anyone who conducted winter burning to double check burn sites in the event of any “hold over” fires.
“The need to go check those burn sites again,” she said. “They will want to go in and dig up that area and make sure that it’s cold to the touch.”
With conditions suggesting a busy season, Burrows said there will be opportunity for local contractors to do work on the fire line. There is a process in place to identify those companies interested in putting their heavy equipment to work on such tasks as clearing fire breaks or transporting personnel, supplies and equipment.
“Most of the people that we hire are local. We’ve got a lot of people that we do bring in traditionally.
“Basically, what they can do is call or drop in to the office. We’ve got a bunch of heavy equipment packages that have all the information and they can fill that out and submit that to us.”
Submission should state whether the firm applying for firefighting work hold a Certificate of Recognition (COR). COR certificate holders are those that have implemented a health and safety program as part of their operations. Burrows said that while COR certification is not a prerequisite, it does give a company an advantage over their uncertified competitors.
“They don’t have to have COR but we do give priority for those that have it.”
For more information, contact Sustainable Resource Development at 780-624-6190.
< Previous
Home
Next >
|
