A five-year, $21-million joint investment for purchasing Yukon firefighting equipment was officially announced Wednesday in Whitehorse.
“This investment will also increase capacity to respond to wildland fires by training and hiring additional wildland firefighters as well as seasonal extensions to respond to wildfires early and late in the fire season,” a statement said.
The agreement was actually signed last year.
“By procuring and upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment and hiring and training more personnel, the Yukon will be better prepared to respond to wildfires,” it added.
“This result will enhance safety for communities and firefighters and improve the sharing of resources across Canada.”
The announcement was made by Yukon MP Brendan Hanley on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn.
It was an investment through the federal Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program (FMWCC)’s Equipment Fund. Ottawa is providing $16 million and the Yukon government $5 million.
Mostyn said the city currently “has no wildfire risk at all,” as the city has frequently soaked in the rain this month, including two full days this week.
Though there are still fires in western Yukon, no community has been threatened, he said.
Wednesday’s announcement was also a chance for Hanley and Mostyn to take a look at what wildland firefighters are using to fight the Beaver Creek-region fire.
Wildland fire fighting requires a wide range of specialized gear and equipment, Mostyn noted.
“We have already purchased personal protective equipment for the crews – things like helmets and safety gear. Other equipment being provided by this funding includes pumps, hoses, UTVs, and skid tanks: the fundamental tools needed for wildland firefighting.”
Some money will be used for training, including for the members of Yukon First Nations Wildfire’s 20-person Unit Crew, and for Initial Attack firefighters on Yukon government and contract crews.
“Plus, training for the support staff and officers who are vital to the success of our wildfire response,” Mostyn said.
The government has wildfire-response capability from April 1 to Sept. 30 every year.
When fully staffed, there are 24 wildfire crews at regional bases across the territory, comprising 10 Yukon government and 14 Yukon First Nations crews. That means 75 initial-attack firefighters and another 40 staff managing crews and aircraft and providing logistical support.
“This year, our firefighters have worked to respond to fires in the Yukon but they have also travelled outside Yukon to assist with fire operations in BC, Alberta and other jurisdictions,” Mostyn noted.
“Every day, they are protecting lives and our homes – but it’s vital that firefighters have the resources they need to do the job safely and well.”
