Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-217
August 22, 2005
FireSmart Projects Help Keep Communities Safe
WHITEHORSE - A total of 32 FireSmart projects valued at $1,202,931 have been approved by Community Services Minister Glenn Hart and Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Archie Lang.
"The Yukon FireSmart program is definitely enhancing community safety," Hart said. "Community greenbelts are more useable for recreational purposes, waste wood fuels are removed, there are associated employment opportunities and the bottom line is – by managing vegetation surrounding our communities we can significantly reduce the wildfire threat."
"The benefits of the FireSmart program are becoming better understood," Lang said. "The treatment of forest fuels in and around our communities not only improves our opportunity to control wildfire, but also contributes towards healthier forest areas. I am very pleased with how Yukon's land owners are initiating and applying the FireSmart program to their properties."
FireSmart offers technical support and funds community projects that help to treat vegetation based on the three Rs: removal, reduction, and replacement. There are various treatments available including removal of deadfall and forest fuels, spacing and thinning trees, and planting less flammable tree species.
FireSmart also supports communities to develop long-term wildfire safety plans and make roadways more accessible to fire-fighting equipment. The program creates local employment and skills development with the goal of enhancing the protection of Yukon communities and reducing the potential for significant losses from wildfire.
FireSmart program handbooks are available at Yukon public libraries, the Inquiry Desk at the main Yukon government Administration Building in Whitehorse, the government’s offices in the rural communities, or the Yukon government website at http://www.gov.yk.ca/.
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Attachment: FireSmart Project Awards
| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Doug Caldwell |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Communication & Policy Analyst |
| (867) 667- 8688 | Community Services |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | (867) 667-8065 |
| doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca |
ATTACHMENT: Approved FireSmart Projects
FireSmart Projects Announced in August 2005
| Liard First Nations |
45,450 |
| Liard Aboriginal Women’s Society |
35,239 |
| White River First Nation |
30,000 |
| Village of Carmacks |
45,450 |
| Village of Haines Junction |
45,450 |
| Village of Haines Junction - Pine Lake |
24,880 |
| Ross River Dena Council |
20,000 |
| Mendenhall Recycling Society |
45,450 |
| Lorne Mountain Community Association |
45,450 |
| Kwanlin Dun First Nation - McIntyre |
45,450 |
| West Dawson Community Association |
11,455 |
| Town of Watson Lake |
45,450 |
| Kluane Lake Athletic Association |
45,450 |
| Village of Mayo |
45,450 |
| Porter Creek Community Association |
45,450 |
| Granger Community Association |
45,450 |
| Tr’ondek Hwech'in First Nation |
45,450 |
| First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun |
30,000 |
| Pelly Crossing Selkirk First Nation |
45,450 |
| Town of Faro |
45,450 |
| Village of Teslin |
42,546 |
| Kluane First Nation |
45,450 |
| Carcross Tagish First Nation |
45,450 |
| Ta’an Kwach'an Council |
45,450 |
| South McLintock Citizens Association |
28,761 |
| Old Crow Plan |
15,000 |
| Crestview Community Assn. |
31,500 |
| Champagne Aishihik First Nation |
45,450 |
| Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation |
30,000 |
| Mclean Lake Residents Assn. |
20,000 |
| Golden Horn School Council |
20,000 |
| Marsh Lake Fire Rescue |
45,450 |
| Total |
$1,202,931 |