Northwest Territories (NWT) wildland fire crews participated in fire ignition training on July 11.
Sometimes, to control a fire, Fire Operations uses ignition to conduct controlled burns. Fire lines are created on purpose to help guide burning fires to more controllable areas. Controlled burns are carefully planned and only used when specific safety precautions and other considerations have been met, including appropriate wind conditions in the area.
Fire ignition training prepares wildland firefighters to assist with aerial ignition and to operate ground ignition equipment. This session included safety training and instruction on how to use specific tools when assisting with ignition operations.
Crews also learn how to use a Terra-torch, a piece of equipment used on the ground for fire control ignition.
While wildland fire crews do not actively participate in aerial fire ignition, they assist by managing staging areas close to the incident where equipment is kept. This includes keeping drums containing fuel for burning separate from refueling drums for aircraft operation.
One of the crews participating in fire ignition training was also preparing for export to help fight fires in Ontario. The NS-3 crew was sent to Sudbury, Ontario to assist with provincial firefighting efforts on July 11. The crew consists of Crew Leader Steven Richardson and crew members Brian Dragon, Eric Apples, Alex Williah, and George Wetrade. In years when NWT wildland fire activity is low, the territory lends resources to other provinces in need of firefighting personnel upon request, through special interjurisdictional agreements.
For more information on Wildland Fire Operations, please visit https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/services/fire-operations.