Union says unstaffed wildfire lookout towers leading to undetected fires | CBC News
The
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said up to 10 lookout towers are
not staffed at any given time because the province’s new employment
code, enacted under the former NDP government, requires staff to take a
mandatory day off.
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said up to 10 lookout towers are
not staffed at any given time because the province’s new employment
code, enacted under the former NDP government, requires staff to take a
mandatory day off.
“It is very important that we detect fires,
especially in a high-fire hazard, as soon as possible after ignition so
that you can get the resources out there as fast as you can,” said AUPE
vice-president Mike Dempsey, who has more than 35 years of forestry
experience, including firefighting.
“That is why it is important
and critical that we have people in the towers observing and being able
to call in a smoke immediately.”