The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is reporting 13 wildfires in the province and they are monitoring the Swift Current area for flooding. Vice President of Operations, Steve Roberts adds though, that the Water Security Agency isn’t expecting any flooding issues in the Swift Current area.

Of the 13 fires, 12 are contained and the majority are under two hectares, meaning they are small starts. Roberts says, “All of those are human-caused fires. So, this time of year, the fires that are occurring on the landscape are a result of people being out doing landscape clearing, some modifications, clearing around the cabin, out on their quads enjoying the spring weather.” At this time of year there is no lightning, which is the other major fire starter.

The forecasts that the SPSA monitors are calling for a cooler than normal spring, except in the southwest corner of the province, which is expected to have near normal conditions. Because of this, Roberts anticipates it will be a slower start to the wildfire season, and it could also impact the size and speed of the fires. Having said that, over the long term, the forecast in general is for warmer than normal temperatures from May through October, so the province could experience an above average fire season. As well, because of dry conditions, southern Saskatchewan is at a high risk for grass fires this spring, and it is elevated in the southwest corner, which is very dry.

Roberts states that along with highly trained staff, the SPSA’s firefighting equipment includes sever bird dogs, six amphibious tankers, four land-based tankers, helicopters and heavy equipment. Last year there was a shortage of pilots in their shift scheduling, but this year, they have a full complement. He adds that in any event where they need extra staff or equipment, they call on their partners, in particular for the larger fires, like last year’s Stanley Mission fire, which at one point was over 100 square kilometres in size.