Wildland Firefighters are preparing for a busy fire season this year. On Friday an estimated 60 firefighters from all over Yukon were testing their gear and practicing their techniques.
Around 60 Firefighters with Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management were at the Whitehorse Cadet Training Centre on Friday preparing themselves for this year’s fire season.
Mike Fancie is the Fire Information Coordinator at Yukon Wildland Fire Management. He said the fire crews were doing their spring training ahead of what is expected to be a busy fire season.
“This afternoon we have our type 1 crews as well as our crew leaders participating in their spring workup training. So they’re learning about the skills and the techniques that they’ll be applying on the fire line keeping our communities safe this summer.” Mike Fancie
The Wildland firefighters have come to Whitehorse form all over Yukon to get training and practical experience with the equipment and procedures for responding to wildfires. The work is heavy and there is lots to learn. Today fire crews were testing water pumps and hoses.
“One of the important aspects of proper hose technique is the ability to create a melon ball. It’s a way of wrapping a hose in such a way that it can be transported away from a scene. So we’re going to be spending a little bit of time to ensure every one is comfortable rolling one up dealing with some of the figurative and literal kinks that go with that process and making sure that every thing is copasetic before the real thing.” Mike Fancie
Human activity causes almost half of the fires in Yukon. A lot can be done to prevent wildfires and in spite of the cool temperatures and snow recently the fire rating is still extreme in some parts of Yukon. If you do see a wildfire in your travels, Wildland Fire Management needs to know about it.
“Like to remind everyone that you can find your local fire danger rating at www.yukon.ca/emergencies and that if you see a wildfire in the community we want you to report it to us. You can do that calling 1-888-798-FIRE.” Mike Fancie
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