Georgina Jolibois. Photo courtesy georginajolibois.ndp.ca
Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Georgina Jolibois is asking Ottawa and the province to send more firefighters to battle the fires in northeast Saskatchewan.
In a letter to Minister Ralph Goodale provided to MBC, Jolibois says she, along with other northern leaders, is concerned the current number of firefighters on the ground will not be enough to put out the fire.
“I am very concerned with the number of wildfire firefighters on the ground,” said Jolibois in the letter. “I believe additional wildfire fire fighters are required to put out the fires.”
The latest numbers from the province indicate that over 200 personnel are currently up north involved in the firefighting efforts.
Jolibois says she has been in close contact with Chief Peter Beatty of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation over the issue. He indicated that the number of local residents who have been hired to help battle the fire is a concern.
“In the last few weeks, the band has provided resources to train local residents in type 3 level qualifications so that they may qualify as wildfire fire fighters,” the letter states. “To date, the province has not hired all the qualified firefighters.”
Jolibois is requesting a meeting between Minister Goodale, Premier Brad Wall and other dignitaries to address these concerns.
To date, over 110,000 hectares have burned. Evacuees have been taken to Prince Albert and Saskatoon.