Nova Scotia firefighters travel to Saskatchewan to help battle wildfires
'I think we need to be out there and help,' said Wilkins, who fights fires for Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources.
Wilkins is one of 20 firefighters heading to Saskatchewan, and they all share the same belief — that their training has prepared them to meet the challenge of this moment.
'Definitely, this is fulfilling, and it fills us with pride to help out,' said Wilkins, who acknowledges that battling as many as 51 active fires will be dangerous. 'You're always going in with caution, and safety is our main goal. We try not to put ourselves into anything too dangerous.'
This is the second time this year that Nova Scotia has sent firefighters to help with wildfires in Saskatchewan.
'We should be there for two weeks this time,' said firefighter Aaron Hayne, who is bracing for the reality of living in a tent and working long, hazardous hours.
Nova Scotia's contribution to fighting the wildfires is part of a greater multi-country team effort.
'This is all coordinated through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in Winnipeg,' said Nova Scotia forest protection manager Scott Tingley.
According to Tingley, an urgent call for help has been sent out. Firefighters from other Canadian provinces, along with Mexico and Australia, have also travelled to Saskatchewan.
'It's actually becoming an international effort these last few years, and we are doing our best as a country to come together,' said Tingley.
'I feel extremely proud and happy to see the world stepping up and joining the effort,' said Wilkins, who is part of a group of brave Nova Scotia firefighters putting themselves in danger to battle wildfires more than 4,000 kilometres from home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
6 minutes ago
- CTV News
Wildfires continue to ravage Saskatchewan, effecting cabins and traplines
Watch The damage from the wildfires in Saskatchewan could force some out of the trapline industry and their passions. CTV's Allison Bamford has more.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
1 resident, 1 firefighter in hospital following 2-alarm fire in Brampton
One resident and one firefighter are in hospital following a two-alarm fire in Brampton on July 27. (Brampton Fire and Emergency Services/photo) One resident and one firefighter are in hospital following a two-alarm fire in Brampton. The blaze, which Brampton Fire and Emergency Services said is now under control, broke out late Sunday afternoon at a home in the area of McVean Drive and Ebenezer Road, just north of Queen Street, East near Claireville Conservation Area. The fire department said at this time primary searches have been completed. 'We will be remaining on scene continuing overhaul operations. Please continue to avoid the area,' it said. Brampton fire July 27 One resident and one firefighter are in hospital following a two-alarm fire in Brampton on July 27. (Brampton Fire and Emergency Services/photo) Brampton Fire ad Emergency Services had initially reported 'heavy smoke in the immediate vicinity' and was urging people to 'remain indoors and avoid the area.'
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Parents and kids learn about bike safety with Regina police
In effort to prevent collisions involving pedestrians and bicycles in the city, youth are participating in a bike safety session with Regina Police Service (RPS). (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Through fun and educational activities, youth learned about bike safety with Regina Police Service (RPS) members on Sunday. 'We're trying to teach the younger people what the rules of the road are so that as they grow up, we are a big bicycle community in Regina,' explained Sgt. Ross Kauk of the RPS downtown safety team. Held at the Conexus Arts Centre parking lot, the initiative aims to teach parents and kids the different rules and regulations of bicycle riding in along roads. 'When parents are riding with their kids, their kids can ride on the sidewalk but their parents can't. We want to make sure [parents] understand why their kids are stopping and walking their bikes across at an intersection,' Kauk explained. J.R. Lamanila and his sister Queen told CTV News all about the different tips throughout the bike safety session. '[I learned] that you have to go slow and stop when you see a stop light, and use your helmet every time,' said JR. 'I learned that on the sidewalk bicycles can go in there, but it's based on the wheel size. The kid size bike can go on the sidewalk, but the bigger bikes have to go on the road,' added Queen. With frequent collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in the city, RPS said teaching the public about safety measures is the top priority. 'We're looking for safety. We see a lot of collisions involving pedestrians and bicycles in this city and a lot of injuries happen with those collisions,' Kauk said. 'We want to make sure everybody understands and everybody slows down. Everybody respects each other's space and that we have safer roadways.' Kauk added he's noticed the positive impact the sessions have had on the community, and how it continues to educate current and future drivers. 'Every year we're seeing that more and more people are understanding what the bicycle hand signals are, and that translates into when they get a car and they start driving,' he said. 'Now they're going to understand what the bicycle is in front of them on the roads are using those hand signals for.'
