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Community Leaders Tour Rabbit Creek Wildfire

Sep 14, 2018 | 10:17 AM

Local leaders attended a guided aerial tour of the Rabbit Creek wildfire to better understand the effects of the fire on the landscape and to learn more about Parks Canada’s prescribed fire program. Ecologist Team Leader Dustin Guedo was onsite. He explained how the fire came about and provided information about the ecology in the area.

“The post-fire environment is diverse. The fire burned very unevenly, causing the fire disturbance to vary from completely burned areas all blackened with soot; to areas of green islands untouched by the fire as the fire burned around it,” said Guedo.

The ground throughout the burnt area has grown over with vegetation. Some of the same species of plants and trees that were previously there are have grown back while in other areas, the vegetation has sprouted from seeds that were lying dormant in the soil layers. Animals and birds have returned to the area and appeared in images captured by trail cameras.

Participants on the tour came from the rural municipalities of Lakeland, Canwood, Shellbrook, and Big River. Representatives from Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, Waskesiu Lake Community Council, and local businesses also took part.

“I’ve seen a lot of fire and it’s about what I expected. I was amazed that it was this sparsely burned. It will surely burn again in the same spots the way nature intended,” said the Mayor of Christopher Lake, Denis Daughton. He was among the 26 community members to tour over the burned area by helicopter.

The Rabbit Creek wildfire resulted when higher than forecasted winds caused the prescribed fire to jump a control line on May 6. The fire burned patches of land within a 36,665 hectare area. Approximately 8.6 km2 of provincial land outside the park was affected. The fire was declared extinguished on July 15.

Safety is always the first consideration in any fire management operation. The prescribed fire was approved as part of the vegetation management strategy, fire management plan, and parks management plan. The criteria were all met and approved for the prescribed fire and before the decision was made to begin the ignition of the blackline on May 4.

Parks Canada uses prescribed fire to restore and improve the health of the environment where natural processes have been altered. In the south east portion of Prince Albert National Park, the naturally occurring historical 40-year fire cycle was disrupted over the last century due to human interventions. The goal of the prescribed fire was to restore the natural grasslands that historically covered the area. In the park, prescribed fires have improved the ecosystems in grasslands and forests, and contributed to the collaborative efforts to maintain the plains bison population in the Sturgeon River region.

“I like what the park is doing to create an ecosystem that has been destroyed outside the park. It’s a food source for grazing animals like bison and elk,” said Daughton. “It would be nice to see the grouse population increase in numbers as it’s been decimated by development and agricultural spraying outside of the park boundaries.”

The exact cost of the fire is still being calculated as all of the invoices have not been received; however, Parks Canada estimates $7 million dollars was spent. At the peak of operations, approximately 200 personnel were dedicated to the incident, along with thirteen helicopters, eight bulldozers, two water bombers, and one bird dog aircraft.

Prescribed and naturally occurring fires play a key role on the landscape. Fire has and will continue to shape vegetation patterns across the country, directly benefiting wildlife communities.

 

Wildfire Risk Reduction in Waskesiu

Did you know, pruning trees, clearing gutters, and raking leaves are simple steps toward reducing the risk of property damage from wildfire during the fall season? As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, incorporate the principles of the FireSmart program into your annual end of season maintenance routine.

FireSmart recommends:

·           Clear fuel concentrations from around your home
·           Clear gutters, eaves and vents of collected materials
·           Keep your windows clear
·           Trim your trees
·           Keep porches and decks clear or screened
·           Screen or seal all soffits

To learn more, pick up a FireSmart Homeowner’s Manual from the Prince Albert National Park Visitor Centre or visit www.FireSmartCanada.ca.

Outter Limits Fun Run in Waskesiu

The Outter Limits Fun Run is on Saturday, September 22. The off-road running event welcomes both experienced runners and timid trail strollers. Sign up for the 10 km run or the 5 km walk/run categories. People can run in groups and are welcome to dress-up to express their enthusiasm. The running event is complimented with live musical entertainment, a silent auction, beer gardens, and prizes.

For more information contact the Outter Limits Stores located in Waskesiu and Saskatoon or visit: www.outterlimits.com/outter-limits-fun-run-2018/

Camping Continues!

Prince Albert National Park is open for year-round camping. Serviced campsites at Beaver Glen and Red Deer campgrounds are currently open to over-night visitors. Campsites in loops A – F in Beaver Glen are open. And all of the sites in the Red Deer campground are open to campers. The oTENTiks in Beaver Glen Campground are open until October 9.

Beaver Glenn and Red Deer campgrounds will close on Thanksgiving Monday, October 8 and re-open in the spring of 2019. The last night of camping in the Narrows campground is September 30. Campsites can be booked by calling 1-877-reserve or online at: www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/reserve

Campsites at Namekus Lake and Sandy Lake are open and available on a first come, first serve basis until September 30. The price of a campsite in an outlying campground is $12.70 per night. Camping at Paignton Beach and Birch Bay begins November 1 at $4.90 per person, per night.

Interpretive programs take place every Saturday and Sunday until September 30. On Saturday’s, take in the Bear Aware program at 2:00 p.m. and then discover the wild ways of the wolf pack at the Wolf Howl at 7:00 p.m.  Both programs meet at the Main Beach enclosed camp kitchen shelter. On Sunday’s discover the unique features of the Boundary Bog trail during a guided hike at 2:00 p.m. The hike starts at 2:00 p.m. Participants are asked to meet at Boundary Bog trailhead.

The Nature Centre is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The last day of its seasonal operations schedule is Monday, October 8.

For those visitors without a seasonal pass, park entry fees can be paid during hours of operation at the East Gate or the Visitor Centre. The automated pass dispenser are accessible after hours and are located at the East Gate, South Gate, and Visitor Centre.

Visitor Centre open seven days a week:

Sunday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Those with enquires can call Visitor Services at 1-306-663-4522 or visit the Prince Albert National Park website, www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/princealbert