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In the wake of criticism from a First Nation over its response to a wildfire, the Government of Saskatchewan announced millions of dollars in new funding to bring more firefighting resources to the province.
The provincial and federal governments are each contributing $22.4 million over five years. The money will be used to purchase equipment including radios, hoses, sprinklers and pump kits, procure and update other specialized equipment, and hire and train personnel.
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“Funding is already flowing, and the province has purchased equipment that is already helping firefighters in battling wildfires this season,” the governments said in a joint statement.
In the statement, both governments noted that Saskatchewan can expect “above-average wildfire activity” for the remainder of the 2024 wildfire season. According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, 80 fires are burning in the province, with five uncontained and expected to grow in size. The province has seen 475 wildfires so far this season, well ahead of the five-year average of 328.
“The Government of Saskatchewan welcomes the federal government’s commitment to collaborate in maintaining our wildland firefighting equipment and reinforcing the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency,” Paul Merriman, Saskatchewan’s public safety minister, said in a statement.
“Through this partnership, we can enhance public safety and deliver a strong, coordinated response to wildfires across the province.”
The new funding comes just one day after the provincial government faced stern criticism from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Prince Albert Grand Council over its response to a wildfire that is currently threatening the northern community of Sandy Bay.
The First Nations groups said the evacuation of Sandy Bay – home to approximately 1,800 people – could have been prevented through earlier containment. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty said there are “hundreds of qualified First Nations firefighters ready and willing to assist,” but said the public safety agency has not hired them due to concerns around safety and equipment.
“The real issue seems to be a lack of commitment to putting out the fire, not the capability of our firefighters,” Beatty said in a statement on Tuesday.
“It feels like they do not want to put the fire out.”
650 CKOM has reached out to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency for a response.
While the agency has not yet responded to the Cree nation and grand council’s concerns, the joint statement on Wednesday noted that $524,780 was provided to the Prince Albert Grand Council Indigenous Wildfire Stewards Pilot Program last year, and said the new funding builds on that previous investment.
