August 14, 2024 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Natural Resources Canada
With another challenging wildfire season underway and wildfires increasing in frequency and severity across Canada - impacting our health, economies, communities and wildlife - the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are supporting Canadians and residents of Saskatchewan who are threatened by wildfires. For the remainder of the 2024 wildfire season, Saskatchewan is forecasted to experience above-average wildfire activity.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with the Honourable Paul Merriman, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety for Saskatchewan, announced a joint investment of over $47.7 million over five years under the Government of Canada's Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program (FMWCC) - Equipment Fund and the Resilient Communities through FireSmart (RCF) Program.
A joint investment of $44.8 million through the FMWCC - Equipment Fund will support Saskatchewan's efforts to purchase wildland firefighting equipment such as handheld two-way radios, protection sprinklers and hoses, and flotation and protection pumps and pump kits. Both Canada and Saskatchewan are providing $22.4 million each over five years. This funding will further improve fire management efforts in Saskatchewan by procuring and upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment and by hiring and training personnel to better prepare for and respond to wildfires. This will enhance safety for communities and firefighters and improve the sharing of resources across Canada. Funding is already flowing, and the province has purchased equipment that is already helping fire fighters in battling wildfires this season.
This funding also builds on last year's $524,780 contribution to the Prince Albert Grand Council Indigenous Wildfire Stewards Pilot Program. The contribution came from Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) FMWCC - Training Fund, which provides support to primarily Indigenous communities and organizations to train firefighters and to increase NRCan's understanding of the needs and barriers in this space.
A joint investment of over $2.9 million, made through the RCF Program, will enhance wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts and expand the adoption of FireSmart in Saskatchewan. Both Canada and Saskatchewan are providing over $1.4 million through the program. With this funding, Saskatchewan will establish whole-of-society governance to increase community wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives.
Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is a top priority for both governments. By working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and international allies, the federal government continues to address and support the fight against wildfires, ensure public safety and protect homes, livelihoods and lives.
