N.S. firefighters head home after helping to battle large Sask. wildfire
A team of firefighters from Nova Scotia has completed their mission in Saskatchewan, where they spent nearly two weeks assisting in the battle against a massive wildfire. The crew, consisting of 20 firefighters and a department representative, was deployed to the Shoe fire near Little Bear Lake in northern Saskatchewan. This fire is currently one of the largest in Canada, having burned over 550,000 hectares.
Scott Tingley, the manager of forest protection with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources, stated that the crew faced challenging conditions during their deployment. They were involved in mop-up operations to extinguish hot spots and reinforce control lines to prevent the fire from spreading further. Despite the difficult circumstances, the team worked tirelessly to support efforts to protect communities in the area.
In Nova Scotia, the wildfire season has been relatively quiet due to regular rainfall and wet conditions in April and May. Tingley noted that the number of fires and hectares burned are at historic lows, similar to last year. However, there have been a few small fires in the province this year. While it’s hard to predict long-term weather patterns, there are indications that warmer conditions may be on the horizon for the region.
The province of Nova Scotia has experienced devastating wildfires in the past, such as the ones that ravaged parts of the Upper Tantallon area and Shelburne County in 2023, destroying 200 homes. During that record-breaking wildfire season, firefighters from other parts of Canada and the United States came to assist Nova Scotia in containing the blazes. Now, being able to send their own firefighters to help others in need is a source of pride for Tingley and the department.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has highlighted the strain on firefighting resources across the country, particularly in the Prairie provinces, British Columbia, and Ontario. The organization has had to seek assistance from international partners to combat the widespread wildfires. Despite the challenges, the collaborative efforts of firefighting teams from various regions have been instrumental in managing the fires and protecting communities.
As the Nova Scotia firefighters return home from their deployment in Saskatchewan, they bring with them valuable experience and a sense of fulfillment from having played a crucial role in the firefighting efforts. Their dedication and hard work exemplify the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that is essential in tackling natural disasters like wildfires.
