Register property at risk from wildfires, Sask. Public Safety Agency urges

With wildfire season already in full swing, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is asking owners to register property that may be at risk from fires.

Homes, buildings, cabins and docks can all be registered with the public safety agency, which will use the data when managing firefighting efforts in order to keep as much property safe as possible.

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“By informing the SPSA about your cabin, home, or other significant assets, you will help fire managers prioritize protection efforts,” Marlo Pritchard, the agency’s president and fire commissioner, said in a statement.

“This information will also help improve response strategies and increase the likelihood of safeguarding what matters most to you.”

The agency said its staff will guide owners through the registration process, and all information provided will remain confidential “and will only be used by fire managers for wildfire management purposes.”

Pritchard noted that registering property doesn’t guarantee that it will be safe from a wildfire, but it does help firefighters ensure that property is protected whenever possible.

More information on registering property can be found on the public safety agency’s website.

The call to register property comes a day after a Saskatchewan community warned its residents to be prepared for a possible evacuation.

On Thursday, the Resort Village of Candle Lake asked residents to begin planning for a possible evacuation due to two fires burning to the east of the community. While there is no immediate danger, the notice advised residents to organize accommodation, ensure vehicles are fueled, and prepare an emergency kit.

“As we head into the long weekend, I want to assure the residents of Candle Lake and visitors, that our Candle Lake Emergency Services, together with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, are closely monitoring the fires to the east of us,” Mayor Colleen Lavoie said in a statement.

“I know you may be feeling unsettled; and so over the weekend, we will continue to share any new information we have as soon as it becomes available.”

According to the public safety agency, there are currently 12 wildfires burning around the province. Of the dozen active fires, three are considered uncontained.

So far this season, Saskatchewan has seen 155 wildfires, well ahead of the five-year average of 100.