Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Tsiigehtchic (Jun 23/00) - Residents of Tsiigehtchic may have thought fire season started early last Friday, when they saw a plume of black smoke billowing up from near the McPherson ferry landing.

It was only a test, but might have been a real emergency if left a few weeks longer, said Mike Gravel, RWED's manager of forests.

"This was a hazard that had to be dealt with," said Gravel of the pile of brush that was burned for training. "It was unfortunate this had to get as big as it did; usually we ask people to burn off these brush piles before they ever get to this size and it's right along the highway.

"In another two or three weeks under really tinder dry conditions, this could be a serious event," he said.

The crew decided to burn off the big pile of slash, before the temperature climbed and the bush dried out.

"We lit it up today, where the weather wasn't too dangerous and we had all the resources on hand to have a safe burn," he said. "It gives the crew a chance to apply their skills and a chance for us to evaluate those skills, to see what further training we might want to do."

Gravel said the fire crew at Tsiigehtchic was getting some hands on training from Tintina Forestry Contracting, a Yukon-based firefighting company that offers training courses in the Yukon and NWT.

"From what I've seen, it seems like really excellent training," Gravel said. "The crew has done really well and excelled in other areas where they required work."

In addition to the ground crew, Gravel also called in for air support for the realistic drill.

"They went through all the basic aircraft safety, loading the helicopter and using all the different equipment," he said.

The crew is now ready for the real thing, Gravel said, and judging from this year's low water table, it could prove to be a busy season for Delta firefighters.