Island forest firefighters bound for Alberta
Five Island forest fire fighters are leaving for Alberta this weekend to help with the increasingly serious wildfire situation.
Three members will join a joint Sustained Action team with wildfire fighters from New Brunswick. The other two are serving as a Fire Information Officer and a Strike Force Leader. Once they arrive in Alberta, they will be assigned to specific areas in the province where their skills are required.
"Over the last few years, fire fighters from Prince Edward Island have travelled to many wildfires in central, western and northern Canada," said Environment, Water and Climate Change Minister Brad Trivers. "We are pleased to be able to help Alberta combat these serious wildfires in their time of need.”
Staff deployed to Alberta will gain skills that could be needed if PEI faces serious wildfires in the future.
Environment, Water and Climate Change (EWCC) is responsible for wild fire response within the Province. The Forest Weather Index (FWI) is currently at low across the Island due to a wet spring and the long range forecast indicates a continuation of mild temperatures and rain over the next few weeks.
Minister Trivers assures people that the majority of the Island's forest firefighters are still in the province should conditions change. Traditionally, most wildfires on PEI tend to happen in May and early June rather than during the summer months.
The professionalism of PEIs forest fire fighting staff is recognized nationally. In 2018, PEI forest firefighters aided British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario during extreme fire events.
The minister wishes the Island firefighters a safe journey and a speedy, safe end to wildfires in Alberta.
Media contact:
Mike Montigny, Field Services Manager
Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division
Ministry of Environment, Water, and Climate Change
mmontigny@gov.pe.ca