Well, it isn’t Christmas or in any way nice. It’s wildfire season and it’s scary. As a former firefighter and as the son of one, I know just how bad it can get. In Moosonee, my father fought a huge fire that almost took out the town, let alone the men and women trying to stop it.
I fought a forest fire just a few kilometres from Mistissini and another one near the southeastern part of Lake Mistassini. One time, another forest fire nearly surrounded the fire truck and all of us firefighters, which could have ended in tragedy.
In those days, we had water bombers coming deep into Eeyou Istchee. Something that no longer happens and I wonder why.
If you claim effective control over Eeyou Istchee, as the Quebec government does, the raging fires that ran all last summer into autumn prove you wrong.
In 2019, the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction found that 80% of Indigenous communities are in areas that are likely to have fires. The study went on to say wildfire responses are problematic as many of the communities are isolated compared to the south, lie outside of firefighters’ jurisdiction and there is a lack of infrastructure to fight them.
Statistics Canada recorded more than 6,000 wildfires last year – Canada’s worst wildfire season ever. Another season is upon us. A worried call I received told of feeling panic because of seeing lightning strikes around their community.
Don’t panic but be ready. Have a grab-and-go bag near the door with essential documents (like passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses), treasured family memories and other items you would like to have with you in case of evacuation.
When on the land, tend to your fires. Build small fires rather than large ones. If you are fishing, a shore meal on a small island would be a prudent choice.
Anyhow, be prudent and check with the local fire department on what is advisable.
Be safe, for ’tis the season.