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Vol. 11, No. 29, Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Dangerous Skaro wildfire continues to burn Michelle Pinon Editor
The danger is far from over, and county officials say the Skaro Wildfire cannot be extinguished at this time. Randy Siemens, Lamont County Fire Chief and Emergency Services Coordinator, told members of council Tuesday to expect more phone calls from residents as the smoldering and flare-ups continue to occur on a regular basis. “We can cut it off where it’s burning, but we can’t put the fire out,” stated Siemens. “The peat beds are not going out, so we’re setting up a whole new game plan.” Siemens said there are a myriad of peat beds throughout the area that are impervious to water, and continue to burn. The peat beds can be anywhere from one to three feet deep. He described the peat moss as tentacles which continue to grow and stretch
for miles in the hollows. Siemens said they will have to continue trenching the peat beds, and create gaps deep down in the soil, and fill them with sand so that any precipitation can be channeled through there, to eventually penetrate the peat beds far down below the surface. For weeks the county has been putting its resources into tilling. “In a normal year that wouldn’t burn,” said Coun. Robert Malicia. “No, they wouldn’t,” replied Siemens. “The strategy really is to mark out where we can make breaks, because the places we thought were out, are not.” Every single day since the fire started on April 18, is costing $35,000 dollars a day. “We hope to recover 75 per cent of the costs by the province,” stated Siemens. The question raised was how many contractors to keep working and how many to stay on stand by. “If
if need be. It was also pointed out that they can’t clear right of ways because the bush is still smoldering. There was also discussion regarding a resident who phoned dispatch because of a flare-up last week, but refused to make their identity or location known, which delayed firefighters coming on to the scene for a couple of hours, which added to the frustration
you let them go, they’re gone,” pointed out Deputy Reeve Dan Warawa. Siemens said it might be a better idea to keep the contractors working instead of staying on stand by. “Your not going to stop it,” insisted Coun. Roy Bryks, who used the Mariana Lakes fire as a good example. “We are 20 square miles,” pointed out Siemens. “Some of it you have to let it burn. Unless you get torrential rains, you have to hire someone to keep watch,” added Coun. Malica. Siemens said they had extinguished most of the fence lines, but because of the hot temperatures, possibility of the soil collapsing, and falling trees, he did not recommend that producers attempt to re-fence right away, and those who have no choice for their cattle or horses to use metal posts or set up temporary electrical fence that can be moved from area to area
McMurray during the most recent crisis. Siemens said he would reassess the situation, and report back to council in a week or two. “Maybe we’ll have to hold a special meeting?” asked Warawa, who thanked the fire chief for his verbal update and current photos that were displayed during the presentation.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
The Skaro wildfire that started on April 20 continues to burn, and local firefighters have been called out to several flare-ups in recent weeks. Lamont County officials warn, “Itʼs not over yet.”
Gas ‘N Dash at Lamont Esso station –
Security footage of the suspect filling up on May 12.
and caused the delay which resulted in the county incurring additional costs. Reeve Wayne Woldanski said he could see the potential for another fire, and Warawa wanted residents to know via the local media that firefighters are still fighting the fire, which was the main reason why other firefighters and equipment were not sent out to Fort
Fort Saskatchewan, AB The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect in relation to a theft under $5,000.00 from ‘Esso’, located at 5701 51 Avenue, Lamont, AB. On May 12, 2016, a dark colored Jeep Grand Cherokee with Alberta Licence Plate BSR4311, failed to pay for the $40.00 worth of fuel. The driver is a described as a Caucasian male, early 20’s, with a tattoo on his right shoulder, wearing baggy jeans, grey muscle shirt and boots. There was also a Caucasian female who was seen sitting in the front passenger seat. The suspect vehicle was last seen traveling Westbound on Highway 15, leaving Lamont.