Fisheries and Aquaculture
Justice and Public Safety
May 1, 2015

Reducing the Risk of Wildfire

Provincial Government Supports National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

The Provincial Government, through the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency and Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, is supporting a Canada-wide initiative that encourages cabin and homeowers to keep their properties safe from wildfires.

"Our forest fire suppression staff encounter a rash of fires every year, particularly in the spring, that place neighbourhoods, communities, the public and firefighters at risk. There are many proven techniques which can be followed to minimize the risk of wildfire damage to properties. As part of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day we are asking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to become aware of the risks and take steps to reduce wild fires."
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

The first National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will be held on May 2. The event is a collaboration between the National Fire Protection Association, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, The Co-operators and FireSmart Canada.

"Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to partner with the Forestry and Agrifoods Agencyto acknowledge National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Through a partnership between our agencies, we have delivered essential training and information to volunteer firefighters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador specific to wildfires and their impact on communities. Most recently, a new information sheet was distributed to all volunteer fire departments. By working cooperatively with our many partners in the fire service, we will garner a greater understanding of the risks associated with wildfires and will effectively lessen the occurrences and impacts."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador

To learn more about National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, and for tips on how to minimize the risk of wildfire damage, please visit www.firesmartcanada.ca .

The Provincial Government's fire suppression staff responded to 75 forest fires on the island and 46 fires in Labrador during the 2014 official forest fire season. A large percentage of the fires were caused by people and were preventable.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government, through the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency and Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, is supporting a Canada-wide initiative that encourages cabin and homeowers to protect their property from wildfires.
• The first National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day will be held on May 2.
• Techniques to minimize the risk of fire damage to properties can be found at www.firesmartcanada.ca .

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Media contacts:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

Bradley Power Public Relations Specialist Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 690-1810 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

2015 05 01                              4:35 p.m.