Page 24 - April 20 2020
P. 24
Includes process colour pages 1,4,5,7,10,11,14,15,18,20,21,24
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR

THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 24 MONDAY APRIL 20, 2020 MONDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2017 PAGE 17
Edson Elks Club donates to the Edson Food Bank









































Ken Biron (Edson Elks), Fred Kuzmic (Edson Food Bank), Elaine Weisser (Edson Elks), Alf Weisser (Edson Elks) and Gary Kearise (Edson Food Bank) stood
outside the local food bank on March 24, to accept a $1,000.00 from the Edson Elks Club to the Edson Food Bank. All food bank volunteers are working very
hard to ensure those in need of supplies can still access them - while maintaining physical-distancing and safety. photo Deanna Mitchener

Reducing spring wildfires and protecting municipalities



Alberta Wildfire is hiring 200 additional holdover fires are extinguished by this time. Indigenous communities.
firefighters, invoking a fire ban, implementing off- Indigenous people may use OHVs on public land This additional funding will help mitigate
highway vehicle (OHV) restrictions, increasing for traditional purposes. Use of OHVs on private wildfire damages and losses in more Alberta
fine violations and funding $20 million more in lands, for industrial use (for example forestry, communities by creating FireSmart zones around
community FireSmart initiatives, all to prepare for agriculture and energy) and by emergency at-risk communities to reduce wildfire hazards.
the upcoming wildfire season during COVID-19. responders is also permitted. “Albertans are tough and we’re all doing what
Alberta Parks is also instituting a fire ban in all we can to keep each other safe during COVID-19.
provincial parks and protected areas. Higher fines With Alberta’s wildfire season matching with the
OBITUARY the province can effectively focus resources where non-compliance with a fire ban and from $600 to expected peak of COVID-19, we have to take extra
These early preparedness measures will ensure
Fines are being doubled from $300 to $600 for
precautions to ensure our response efforts are well-
they are needed most in the event of multiple $1,200 for non-compliance with an OHV funded and planned out. This spring, we may find
emergencies happening at the same time. restriction. With 71 per cent of last year’s wildfires ourselves facing multiple disasters at once. With
Typically, the wildfire hazard is highest in started by people, these fine increases reflect the all these measures, we will be prepared,” stated
Alberta in late April through May, when fuel like seriousness of the preventative measure Albertans Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and
trees and grasses have extremely low moisture must take to prevent wildfires. Forestry.
content after the snow has melted. Individuals found contravening a fire ban or
More than 880,000 hectares burned last year and OHV restriction will be subject to increased fines, Government emergency response
71 per cent of wildfires were human-caused and starting April 15, and could be held liable for all To increase response capacity and prepare for
entirely preventable. With provincial resources costs associated with fighting a wildfire. Last year, multiple and concurrent disasters, such as wildfires
currently stretched due to COVID-19, these more than $600 million was spent fighting and floods, the Provincial Operations Centre has
preventative measures will better equip Alberta’s wildfires in Alberta. been reinforced by the creation of a Pandemic
response to spring wildfires this year. These fines are in addition to the existing Response Planning Team. This team will help
Increased firefighting resources penalties for arson under the Criminal Code. coordinate government’s medium and long-term
An additional $5 million investment is being response to the COVID-19 pandemic.“Our
made to hire and train 200 high-quality firefighters Increased FireSmart funding province is taking steps to prepare for wildfires
to assist with the provincial wildfire suppression FireSmart will receive a funding boost of up to and other hazards this spring and summer by
this season. $20 million to support vegetation management in increasing our emergency response capacity. This
More than 800 seasonal firefighters will join 370 the province. The department will work with means that while we continue to respond to the
year-round staff at Alberta Wildfire. These municipalities to ensure these funds are used this COVID-19 pandemic, we will also be ready to
resources are hired at one of the 10 Forest Areas, fiscal year. respond to other emergencies as they may arise,”
and are moved throughout the Forest Protection FireSmart helps to reduce the wildfire risk to stated Kaycee Madu, Minister of Municipal
Area as required. Albertans, their homes and communities. The Affairs.
Fire ban and OHV restriction FireSmart program includes grants to support the
A fire ban in the Forest Protection Area, most at-risk communities in Alberta, including
provincial parks and protected areas, as well as a
recreational OHV ban on Crown land in the Forest
Protection Area, will come into effect April 15.
In Loving Memory of
Alberta’s Forest Protection Area covers almost In Loving Memory of
60 per cent of Alberta, most of the northern half of
Reg Munday
the province and the western border, excluding Reg Munday
federal parks.
The government recognizes that many Albertans W
Who passed away three years agoho passed away three years ago
use OHVs and respects this valid activity. At the on A
on April 20, 2017pril 20, 2017
same time, the government must take into account
limitations and manage risk due to the COVID-19 Another year has come and gone.
pandemic. Hot mufflers can potentially start Our hearts still ache for you.
wildfires. It's the many sweet memories that
The fire ban and OHV restriction are temporary continue to get us through, along with
measures, which will remain in place only as long all the love in heaven that surrounds
as required to combat the wildfire risk. Measures you. We miss you.
may later be adjusted to take into account the
needs of specific regions.
All fire permits will be suspended in this area, Anne, Brian, Dorothy, Georgie,
and landowners are responsible for ensuring any Mardel, Brit, Gloria and Michele.
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