Saskatchewan enters heart of wildfire season just weeks into spring
Global News
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, a total of 83 fires have already occurred as of April 29. The number is nearly four times the five-year average.
The snow only melted just days ago in parts of Saskatchewan, but already crews are busy battling fires across the province.
Louis Cherpin began his firefighting journey in 1994. Now, 30 years later, he is the president of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Firefighters Association.
“When I was younger, I really appreciated the fact that (firefighting) was part of rural Saskatchewan, and I felt that I needed to give back,” Cherpin said when asked why he got into the business.
Over the past three decades, Cherpin has seen the land become increasingly drier amid warmer conditions.
With those dry conditions, more fires have erupted across the province.
“Prairie fires, grassland and wildland fires have definitely increased,” he said. “Back when I first started, firefighters used to be out for about two or three hours (fighting flames). Now, they are out five to six hours.
“The time being out there is longer, and the fires are burning hotter and faster.”
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), a total of 83 fires have already occurred as of Monday. The number is nearly four times the five-year average. Five of those fires are currently active as of Monday afternoon.