As wildfires continue to burn in northern Manitoba, our local fire departments continue to send volunteer fire fighters to help out.
However, that could change in the coming weeks and months, according to Greg Zimmerman, Coordinator of the Pembina Triangle Mutual Aid District.
"We've been at this for a couple of months now, and we've managed to send lots of people throughout the district up there. But as you know, we're coming into harvest and most of the people in the mutual aid district are associated with the ag industry - either as famers or in the service industry for it. So, in the next couple of months it'll be very difficult to find people that have the time."
That being said, Zimmerman says they will continue to do the best they can with what they have.
Valuable experience
And while our local fire fighters haven't been in the thick of the forest fires, they have been working to protect surrounding communities and this, noted Zimmerman, has provided them with valuable experience.
"Every fire or action they take, they do benefit from. Although we don't have a lot of forest where we fight fires, it is still useful experience," he said. "In the process, they still have to lay out lines, apply the water and work the pumps. That happens at every fire, regardless. It's also just keeping them honed in their skills."
It's also been an opportunity to expand their horizons and work with other fire fighters from across the province, and even the country.
"It's been very exciting," said Zimmerman. "There is the comradery from being in the fire department and everyone gets along well. What's happening is, people are meeting folks from other departments they didn't even know existed. It's been a very good eye-opener."
