Steve Roberts

Preparations for wildfire season are starting two weeks earlier than usual in Saskatchewan this year. However, Saskatchewan is bringing in the same number of seasonal firefighters as last year, unlike other western provinces like Alberta and B.C., which are adding more. Below-average precipitation, continuing drought conditions and predictions of high temperatures mean many areas in the province are at higher risk of grass fires, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) president Marlo Pritchard said at a news conference Monday. Ground crews will be ready to respond as early as next week and air crews began training on Monday, Pritchard said. …Saskatchewan will have 220 Type 1 firefighters and 410 Type 2 firefighters this summer, according to the SPSA. …”We are expecting a season that will be average or above average,” Steve Roberts, vice president of operations at SPSA, said at the news conference.