THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A new study over the summer will examine fire abatement in Fort Smith, particularly how to counter the risk of forest fires.

The Fort Smith Fire-Smart Committee has received $35,000 from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) to develop a fire abatement plan.

Although there have been a number of studies done in the past, Wes Steed, the chair of the committee, said ENR determined an updated study is necessary to access funding from the department and other government agencies in the future.

"That is the reason why we're doing that," Steed said.

Mayor Peter Martselos said there have been four or five plans in the past 15 years.

"By the time we finished the plans and knew what to do, there was no money available," he said.

While they would like to see work begin on projects, Martselos said he and council recognize a new study is needed to access funding.

"Reluctantly, the council supported it," he said.

Martselos said the town does not have the resources to conduct a major fire abatement project on its own.

Steed said the new study will focus on the immediate area of Fort Smith.

A request for proposals is going out to seven companies with experience conducting such studies, based on a list provided by ENR.

Steed said it is hoped the successful proposal will be less than $35,000 so that the remaining money can be used on other undetermined projects.

Steed said the new plan will complement information gathered in previous studies of Fort Smith and surrounding areas.

"This is more based on specifics in the community of Fort Smith," he said, adding it will seek input from numerous stakeholders, including First Nations and Metis organizations

Among other things, the study will look at protecting vital buildings, such as grocery stores, the bank and power delivery infrastructure, along with homes along the tree line.

Steed explained protection strategies will not just focus on the wall of fire from a forest fire.

It will also consider how to deal with fire brands - sparks and embers that fly kilometres in advance of a fire. Those fire brands can ignite fires inside a community.

The study will identify potential fire hazards - for example, trees, abandoned buildings and piles of junk - and what steps can be taken to lessen the danger.

Despite all the previous studies, there has never been full-fledged fire abatement work done in Fort Smith.

"We've done a lot of little things," Steed said. "If you add them all up, we've made headway, but there is a lot of work that needs to be done."

Among the work that has been done is a project to harvest wood in the airport area.

"We're reducing the risk there," Steed said.

The committee chairperson hopes the new study can be completed by September and the community will be busy next summer on various fire abatement projects.

Martselos agreed there have been "bits and pieces" of work undertaken.

"But we need more funding from the territorial government to do more in the community," he said, adding fire abatement is very important for Fort Smith.

There are large areas with trees and dry wood inside the community, he noted. "It is dangerous if somehow fire starts."