Mock wildfire exercise helps prepare emergency response crews
Feature story with video posted on July 14, 2008
On June 13 and 14 Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) teamed up with several municipal partners to conduct a mock wildfire exercise west of Hinton.
Operation West Yellowhead helped test local emergency response systems. It also served as a training opportunity to better prepare local agencies to respond if a wildfire were to threaten rural properties and the Town of Hinton.
“Wildfires can pose a very serious threat to communities nestled within Alberta’s forests,” said Kevin Freehill, Wildfire Prevention Officer. “Being prepared and engaging rural residents in FireSmart activities is the best way to protect Albertans and their communities from the threat of wildfire.”
Yellowhead County, the Town of Hinton and various industry representatives took part in the exercise. Over the course of the day, firefighters and other emergency responders reacted to a simulated wildfire near Seabolt, Grandview and Maskuta Estates.
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