The Town of Hay River has been through a lot over the last couple of years, having first contended with serious flooding in 2022 and then devastating wildfires in 2023.

With the memories of those crises still fresh in the minds of residents, and another flood and fire season rapidly approaching, local leaders have been hard at work preparing for the possibility of future challenges.

SA国际影视传媒淭he flood event in 2022 then the wildfire of last year have emphasized the need to be more resilient and to invest more resources into not only preparedness and recovery, but mitigation,SA国际影视传媒� said Glenn Smith, the senior administrative officer (SAO) of the community of about 3,500 people.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e approaching it from all three of those angles of emergency management preparedness.SA国际影视传媒�

In early April, The Town of Hay River and the Local Emergency Management Organization released a public notice outlining 19 measures that have already been implemented to prepare for the threat of future floods and fires. That includes the restructuring of several roadways to mitigate flood risks, the creation of new fire evacuation plans and efforts to improve communication with residents.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of this is years in the making, and some of it is new, especially that which focuses on wildfire protection,SA国际影视传媒� Smith said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e emphasizing more wildfire preparedness this year than we have in the past. We want to keep investing in building mitigation systems and building resiliency.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot more to come,SA国际影视传媒� he added, laying out plans for several community meetings over the coming weeks, and the launch of a SA国际影视传媒渞evampedSA国际影视传媒� website that will have SA国际影视传媒渕ore preparedness information on it, both for flooding and wildfires.SA国际影视传媒�

So far, the risk of serious flooding around Hay River seems low, according to Smith.

SA国际影视传媒淥verall, as weSA国际影视传媒檝e indicated in our [public notice], the water levels are quite low this year, so thatSA国际影视传媒檚 favourable for us,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

As for the threat of fire, the community is unfortunately experiencing drought conditions, which increases the risk. However, Smith is hopeful that the fire breaks created by last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 blazes should shield the community from further devastation this year.

SA国际影视传媒淎 significant amount of fuel in the area was burnt during that wildfire,SA国际影视传媒� he said, referencing the great swaths of trees that were consumed last year. SA国际影视传媒淲e wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 expect to see anything of the same magnitude without that fuel, but it is supposed to be dry. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e still in drought conditions, and we expect that throughout the summer, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 important that people be diligent because fires can start anywhere.SA国际影视传媒�

Smoke from wildfires in other areas of the territory and country is also a concern, Smith acknowledged, especially for people with respiratory conditions.

He and his team have also taken measures to reduce those potential risks.

SA国际影视传媒淲e expect weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to see a lot of smoke, even if there arenSA国际影视传媒檛 fires directly within our area,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e expect Alberta to have a difficult year, and B.C., and other areas of the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e integrating that into our own planning, working with Environmental Health and other [GNWT] departments to look at options, particularly for those with sensitivities to smoke, so that they can have areas within the community that provide cleaner air through clean air shelters.SA国际影视传媒�

Hay River is also bracing to host residents of other communities that may be forced to evacuate, Smith said.

Even with so many preparedness measures underway, the SAO is aware that residents are feeling apprehensive as the flood and fire seasons approach SA国际影视传媒� particularly given that the two seasons could potentially overlap.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not sure that what weSA国际影视传媒檝e experienced is a new norm, but weSA国际影视传媒檝e had some pretty extreme events and got through extreme events in Hay River,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here was trauma incurred through the events, especially the wildfire, and how quickly that occurred and got on top of us. People are aware that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 still these winter burns occurring, and theySA国际影视传媒檙e aware of the drought conditions, so I think thereSA国际影视传媒檚 still a lot of anxiety.SA国际影视传媒�

He hopes that his teamSA国际影视传媒檚 efforts to safeguard the community will help put minds at ease, and urged his neighbours to remember the importance of communication throughout whatever may arise.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the public can see that there is a lot of work being done, which should calm some fear,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone has a role in emergency preparedness, from property owners and residents through the multiple layers of government,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淭he key thing is communication.SA国际影视传媒�