Hilda Community Association talks ways to lessen damage from future fires, disasters
Members of the Hilda Community Association says help is needed to get people back on their feet after a massive prairie fire swept through the region last month.
But beyond refencing pastures and lobbying the province to make disaster aid available, they say Cypress County should take preventative measures and review operations in order to lessen damage or prevent future fires.
“We wanted them to hear first hand from those affected and the fire relief committee,” said Andy Kirschenman, president of the community association.
“There are some things that can and should be changed that would definitely have an impact on future fires ... We’re not expecting an immediate answer but they’re thinking about it (already).
His group hopes Cypress County officials will consider tax deferral, lobby the province for disaster relief funds, review communications strategy and this spring pay particular attention to culverts and weed control.
Another concern is how the county issues fire permits and whether one as large as Cypress should consider more localized firebans rather than blanket bans for the whole region.
Beyond that, Hilda rancher Brian Beck said improving cellphone coverage needs to be considered a matter of public safety.
Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes also attended and said he plans to raise the issue — coverage can be sporadic in the region — in question period when the legislature resumes next week.
He said he will also challenge the government to make low- or no-interest loans available through the Alberta Finance Service Corporation, and ask the government to match $87,000 in private donations to the group.
“We’re so independent in the southeast,” said Barnes. “We don’t ask for much ... It’s up to the government to respond.”
Reeve Richard Oster thanked the committee and Barnes for his work. He also thanked Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner for setting up meetings with the ministers of agriculture and municipal affairs at last week’s gathering of Alberta’s association of county officials in Edmonton.
The Hilda group met with council at its Tuesday meeting and discussed the issue for about an hour.
Councillors said they would act on some concerns, but others required further study.
“There are some unknowns here and we’re talking with our staff,” said Oster. “But we’re watching these (issues) to see where we can help. We’re not going to let this get away.”
The county does not have a fire prevention plan, said county CAO Doug Henderson, but could make the creation of one a priority.
Cypress County is funding work of a soil analyst to determine the long-term effects.
Fields have been traditionally burned to replenish soil, said Kirschenman, but the high winds lifted and removed most of the ash. As such, the soil quality will likely be affected for some time.
“Anyone who farms in the Palliser Triangle knows there’s not much (topsoil) to give away,” he said, which could lead to additional disaster funding.
Disaster recovery funds from the province can be used to cover uninsurable loses.
Barnes said Ag Minister Oniel Carlier has requested an estimate of losses be produced as soon as possible, with members saying something could be done by early December.
Members are also discussing what they can do at the ground level.
The roaring fire on Oct. 17 eventually burned 20,000 acres in Alberta and a similar range in Saskatchewan. A firefighter was killed during the response across five municipalities.
“If this was a 50 km/h wind we could have stopped the fire at the highway,” said Kirschenman, who argued greater co-ordination with Saskatchewan is required. “It was a weather event.” The group also asked that county officials consider examining and possibly blading undeveloped road allowances, at least in strategic spots to act as fire breaks and improve access for firefighters.