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May 11, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


Low snowfall and early spring increases danger of forest fires

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, today announced, due to the small amount of snow receive during the winter, an early spring and the recent long period of warm weather, the dangers of forest fires have greatly increased.

"I cannot stress enough, how important it is for people spending time outdoors, to take every necessary precaution when it comes to fire," Minister Aylward stated. "Unless we have a significant amount of rain in the near future, the risk of forest fires is going to get worse before it gets better. Right now, all fires have been able to be brought under control by our professional and experienced forest fire fighters. To minimize further risk to our forests we need the cooperation of the general public in observing all rules when it comes to lighting fires, which can only be done with the necessary 'permit to burn'."

To date, on the island portion of the province, there have been 42 forest fires which have burned 1,128 hectares. Last year at this time, there had been 31 fires which had burned only 135 hectares. The fires are more intense and cover a larger area than is normal for this time of year. These fires, while not deliberately set, have all been determined to be caused by people who are used to much wetter conditions in the woods at this time of year.

All of the department's aircraft and fire fighting equipment are in a permanent state of readiness, as is the department's team of forest fire fighters.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Director of Communications, (709) 729-6183, cell (709) 685-6612.

1999 05 11 12:20 p.m.


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