2002 forest fire season officially ends

The Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, Rick Woodford, today released statistics on the province�s 2002 forest fire season, which officially ended on September 22.

The minister also commended the efforts of all fire suppression staff for their hard work this season in controlling, extinguishing and monitoring a number of serious fires. "I wish to thank all staff for their efficient and timely response and commendable efforts during our 2002 forest fire season."

A total of 138 fires was reported for the 2002 season for the entire province and approximately 35,693 hectares of forest area was burnt with 1,257 hectares being productive forest. A significant portion of the total amount of forest land burned this year was in Labrador. Of the 137 fires recorded, 70 occurred in the eastern region, 50 in Labrador and 18 in the western region.

Minister Woodford pointed out that despite a lower number of fire starts this season compared to last year which recorded 202 forest fires, it was still a busy season due to some serious fires in and around several communities. "The threat to people and personal property from forest fires was quite extreme at various times during the summer. In fact, the threat of fire forced the evacuation of the communities of Bide Arm, Sheshatshiu and Northwest River as a pre-caution at different points during the summer," said Minister Woodford.

"We experienced some very hot dry weather in early July with fire indices reaching record highs causing our fire fighting resources to be stretched to the limit. The forest fire situation was extreme all across the country and the situation in our province was indeed tense at times."

Minister Woodford said that fire fighting resources and a proposed national forest fire management plan were key issues discussed earlier this week in Halifax at the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM).

"Forest fire management and infrastructure is a priority for this department and a plan to revamp the national forest fire infrastructure received a lot of debate at the CCFM meeting. My provincial and territorial colleagues expressed their commitment to move forward on the direction of the plan, which would, among other things, include federal-provincial cost-sharing to replace aging water bomber fleets."

The minister said government is committed to effective forest fire management and ensuring that timber and other property losses are kept to a minimum. "Our forest industry in this province is valued at $800 million and employs over 10,000 people. Nationally, it is a $50 billion industry. It is imperative that we protect our forests for all of its users and be prepared for future challenges in fire management."

Minister Woodford added that although the forest fire season is officially over, the public should always be �fire smart� when in or near the woods.

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183

2002 09 27                                      10:55 a.m.