Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an emergency statement. Mr. Speaker, the last week has been a hectic time for the people of Fort Norman, Norman Wells and my staff in the fire management program.
I am pleased to report today that we are winning the fire battles we face. The fire in the area of Fort Norman is in the mop-up stage and has been turned over to the community to manage with their fire crews and other extra firefighters they hire. The fire came right up to the community's doorstep but, thanks to a lot of good cooperation by the department, the community leaders and individuals who have had experience in firefighting, and contract crews including helicopter and CL-215 crews, nothing was lost except one storage shed owned by Ursus Aviation and there were no injuries to anyone. In particular, I want to thank Her Worship Mayor Lorraine Doctor who worked tirelessly both as mayor of the community and as emergency measures officer coordinator.
Our crews are successfully holding the Norman Wells fire from proceeding any further toward that community. I am confident in their strategy for fighting the fire by back burning in front of it. Nine crews are working day and night with air support in order to complete the back bum. The latest report is that we have 80 per cent of the job already done.
Given the dry conditions we face, it is impossible to fight the fire straight on. First, the flames are at times as high as 100 feet in the air, a condition that makes it impossible for men to work on the ground in front of it and pointless to drop water or retardant on it.
Second, heavy smoke makes it often impossible to use fixed- wing aircraft. When we can use aircraft, we have four CL-215s, a DC-4 and five helicopters available. Yesterday, all of these machines were working on the fire. So far today, heavy smoke has prevented the use of fixed-wing aircraft. We could have all the DC-6s in the world on the tarmac in Norman Wells. They would not be any good to us because we cannot use them as we have adequate aircraft on the fire. Let me assure you none of our communities are unprotected.
Mr. Speaker, I spent three days at the scene last week and I can tell you we are doing everything possible and with success in managing this situation. I intend to report daily on the Norman Wells fire until it is fully under control.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we had a fire break out a few kilometres from Fort Providence. The fire could have been a threat to the community but again, thanks to a speedy and effective response by the community, the Evergreen fire crews and our staff, we have the situation well under control.
Yesterday, we had CL-215s arrive from Newfoundland, as requested through the mutual aid resource sharing agreement, and we feel these are the best planes at this time.
The smoke you see in the air today is coming mainly from northern Saskatchewan, Alberta and a lire northwest of the Horn Plateau. Our crews protected the top of the plateau where most of the resources at risk are located and we are now only monitoring that fire.
The fire situation across the western Arctic and in the northern parts of the provinces remains critical. Everyone should refrain from open camp fires or any burning until the hot dry conditions improve. The department will continue to send out advisories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause