With widfire season here, fire proofing is taking a top spot on the town of Hay River’s community planning agendas.
As the town prepares for wildfire season, they are urging residents to clear brush and yard waste. Officials discussed the matter at the last council meeting and delivered notices to over 70 households, urging them to clear brush and other fire-risk waste from their properties.
Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson told True North FM that the town is proactively carrying out its annual fireproofing plans, which include a collective effort to clear fire-risk materials.
“The town will be running a community fire-smarting program this summer. It will include property assessments conducted by the Hay River Fire Department, it will be running firesmarting promotions and we are updating our community wildfire protection plan,” said Mayor Jameson.
“And in the meantime, I’m really encouraging residents to take advantage of the town of Hay River’s upcoming curbside Community Clean-Up program. Brush and any other fire risk waste will be picked up and disposed of by the town of Hay River,” added Mayor Jameson.
At the last Hay River Council meeting on May 14, the issue of clearing brush from properties was also discussed. Travis Wright, the director of protective services, reported that with wildfire season approaching, residents are being encouraged to clear up brush and other material from their yards.
Wright said that officials have given warning notices to property owners with brush accumulation issues.
“Municipal enforcement did a tour of the town just given the season, and identified multiple unsightly properties to give some letters,” explained Wright.
“We’ve had 75 letters delivered over the last 2 days. It’s our first engagement with the property owners, which it’s really a generic letter for them, and most people will likely address that,” added Wright.
Officials are planning “more specific engagement” with the property owners this week, encouraging them to take part in spring clean-up efforts, explained Wright.
The annual curbside Community Clean-Up begins the week of May 26 for residential properties and includes the Corridor, they said.
The town said they will pick up brush and other landscaping waste (6ft. Lengths), furniture, bikes, BBQ’s, lawn furniture, bagged loose materials, old garbage cans/ garbage boxes.
There are certain items which are not included in this pickup program, officials explained. The town said they will not be picking up hazardous waste, renovations or construction debris, electronic waste, light bulbs, commercial or business waste, paint, oil, propane tanks or batteries.
The town stipulated that they will pick up large items like cars, which must be drained of all fluids.
Items like cars, refrigerators/freezers, home heating fuel tanks, tires, hot water tanks and all other appliances require the purchase of a tag.
Officials said that tags must be purchased by May 23 from the Town Hall. Anyone who wants more information about tag purchases can go Hay River’s town hall or call at 874-6522 ext 5 for any information.
There are other opportunities for residents to clear out items that are no longer in use. The Hay River Community Garage Sale is taking place on May 24. Anyone who would like their garage sale added to the Town of Hay River’s garage sale map can register their address through the town’s Facebook page.
The Community Garage Sale map will be shared on the Town of Hay River Facebook page and website.
The town said the application deadline is May 22.
