Madam Chair, based on last year's budget expenditures for the initial attack phase of firefighting, we estimate that most fires in the initial stage require roughly about $20,000 to fight and put out within a 24-hour period. That is a rough estimate. So what we are offering to communities is, if they wish, they would have authority to spend up to $20,000 for any fire they attack in an agreed-to prescribed area. They have $20,000 to put it out within a 24-hour period. If the 24-hour period lapses and they are still fighting it, we then move in, as a department, and decide with the community what course of action to take after that. If they spend over $20,000, again we come in to decide with them what course of action to take.
Stephen Kakfwi on Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
In the Legislative Assembly on May 16th, 1996. See this statement in context.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 16th, 1996
Page 442
See context to find out what was said next.