This year, the wildfire season in the Yukon has been relatively mild compared to other provinces like British Columbia and Ontario. Despite being prepared to assist in firefighting efforts, Yukon First Nations Wildfire did not receive a call for help, as stated by the organization’s CEO, Nick Mauro. He expressed frustration at the lack of capacity within the Yukon government to deploy their crews to support other regions.
Mauro highlighted the disparity in resource allocation, noting that while international crews are being brought in to help, essential local resources like theirs are being overlooked. He emphasized that the current wildfire management system in Canada is not designed to efficiently utilize indigenous resources, as it primarily focuses on government resources and intergovernmental assistance.
Recent data from Yukon Wildland Fire Management revealed that a significant percentage of firefighters and support personnel have been deployed to assist in other territories, further straining local resources. The responsibility for wildfire response in the Yukon lies with the Department of Community Services, which coordinates resources through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).
Decisions regarding the mobilization of resources, including Canadian, contract, and international firefighting assistance, are made by the managing jurisdiction based on various factors such as availability, qualifications, and logistical considerations. CIFFC clarified that it does not hire firefighters but facilitates the coordination of requested resource types between agencies.
Mauro and Madison Levi, crew leader of the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq First Nation’s fire crew in New Brunswick, emphasized the need for a more inclusive system that recognizes and supports First Nations fire crews. They called for changes at all levels of government to ensure equitable access to firefighting opportunities and representation in decision-making processes.
Levi shared her team’s disappointment in not being called upon to help despite their successful efforts in previous fire seasons. She echoed Mauro’s sentiments, advocating for Indigenous representation and tailored agreements to enhance the involvement of First Nations crews in firefighting efforts nationwide.