In preparation for another potentially hazardous wildfire season, Hay River, N.W.T., has introduced a novel fire-smarting initiative. During a public gathering on wildfire and flood readiness, town officials urged residents to join the program enthusiastically. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the emergency communication challenges encountered the previous year and the actions being taken to improve the situation for the upcoming season.
Glenn Smith, Hay River’s senior administrative officer, emphasized that the fire-smarting program offers assessments that pinpoint potential fire hazards on properties and propose ways to lessen them.
“Enroll in an assessment. We’ll visit your property, provide a report outlining potential issues, and suggest measures to address them,” he elaborated. The program encompasses a seven-point plan and offers community support through the provision of cost-free waste removal services.
Cindy Caudron, a resident of Hay River, disclosed that she attended Tuesday’s meeting to acquire additional knowledge about the town’s preparedness strategy. Caudron volunteered her assistance during the previous year’s evacuation by going door-to-door to alert residents of the crisis.
“We dedicated our entire days, from around 7 or 8 in the morning until 11:30 or 12 at night,” she recounted. “Individuals within their homes lacked communication or were unaware of the situation’s severity.
Communication is crucial – it is what the community desires. We simply want open communication.” She further expressed her delight in learning about additional mitigation initiatives, such as forest scanning for hotspots, and emphasized her increased confidence in the upcoming fire season compared to previous years.
“I believe there is much better coordination and communication. Additionally, they are carrying out a great deal of work behind the scenes that I was unaware of,” she remarked. “In general, people will experience a heightened sense of ease, knowing that we will be better equipped this year.” Caudron also highlighted ongoing concerns within the community, such as ensuring adequate preparation for seniors and the vulnerable population. She stressed the importance of friends and neighbors initiating discussions now on how to manage an evacuation if one becomes necessary.
Glenn Smith, Hay River’s senior administrative officer, stated that the town is striving to improve communication ahead of the upcoming wildfire and flood season. Caudron also emphasized the need for more volunteers in critical roles, including communication and assisting others.
“Hopefully, this will inspire some individuals to get involved and lend a helping hand wherever possible. Take care of your neighbors, ensure their well-being, and keep them informed should an evacuation become necessary,” she said.
Smith recalled the challenges encountered during the previous year’s fire season, particularly the lack of timely notifications during the evacuation process.
“We rely on other levels of government to communicate wildfire risks,” he said, referring to the territorial government’s Environment and Climate Change (ECC) department. “ECC is implementing additional measures to establish direct communication with local community governments and has revised the thresholds for issuing such notifications.
“I view this as a positive development because it enables us to effectively implement our communication and preparedness plan,” he stated.
Smith also discussed strategies to strengthen infrastructure to withstand emergencies, with a particular focus on fiber and satellite connectivity, which are vital for communication. The issue gained prominence during last year’s evacuation when phone lines in the region went down at a time when the emergency situation was rapidly changing.
“We utilize a variety of communication channels to disseminate our standard preparedness-related information, including the N.W.T. alert system and door-to-door notifications if the situation escalates to an order,” he said.
‘Be prepared’
Hay River is currently in flood season. According to Smith, water levels are significantly lower than usual, reducing the risk of flooding, but conditions like ice jams are unpredictable and could increase risks unexpectedly.
Smith reported that last year’s wildfire scorched over 500,000 hectares but also inadvertently created a natural firebreak around the community. Despite this, the region is entering its third year of drought, potentially leading to even drier conditions than those experienced last year.
“Be prepared,” advised Smith. “Pay attention to official government communications and take individual precautions.” He encouraged residents to create household emergency preparedness plans and maintain a state of readiness for any emergency situation, including keeping vehicles fueled to avoid delays during an evacuation.
Smith emphasized the town’s commitment to organizing additional meetings in the future, acknowledging their increased significance in the wake of recent severe climate events.
