Sun West Teacher Fights Northern Wildfires

Rather than traditional rest and recreation activities, Sun West Career Development teacher Kristin Sampson spent part of her summer fighting wildfires in northern Saskatchewan!

Ms. Sampson, who is the Career Development teacher Davidson, Kenaston and Loreburn Central School, and who is well known across Sun West(and beyond) for her untiring work with the Sun West leadership Program, is also a volunteer firefighter with the Davidson Fire Department.

As a volunteer firefighter, Ms. Sampson participates in regular training and exercises so that she will be ready, with her colleagues to attend at fires and other crises in the Davidson area. Volunteer firefighters like Ms. Sampson provide a critical service and their dedication and skill save lives and protects communities across Saskatchewan.

This summer as northern Saskatchewan was ravaged wildfires; the call went out for help and the Davidson Fire Department was one of the groups that heeded the call. Three Davidson Firefighters including Ms. Sampson, and one Firefighter from the RM of Swift Current took Engine 481 “Herbie” and traveled to northern Saskatchewan to be part of the international effort to get these fires under control. “I had put my name forth at the beginning of the wildfire season, ”explained Ms. Sampson, “knowing I would not be able to go until July or August. I was not expecting to be called so soon for duty. We got the call at suppertime on July 1 and left the next day,” she added.

The Davidson crew fought fires in Beauval, Saskatchewan for a total of 12 days from July 2 to July 13. Their work included patrolling the community, helping set up sprinkler systems, assisting in control burns, putting out hot spots on the control burn sites, protecting valuables in the community, and putting out flare ups once the fire hit town.    

Ms. Sampson explained that some of the greatest challenges her crew faced came when the smoke and fire hit Beauval. “We were staged at different areas to protect the community,” stated Ms. Sampson. “The fire created its own storm – it was thundering just a like a real storm and became dark as night. There was little to no visibility. It was scary entering the unknown knowing we had a job to do to protect the community.”

The difficulties they faced, however, only proved how important it was that they had volunteered to help in this crisis that was impacting almost everyone across North America. “It was a rewarding experience I will never forget,” reflected Ms. Sampson. “We learned so much about wildfires and the opportunity to work with other volunteer fire departments from around the province. Knowing we were able to save the community, and everyone was able to go home was very rewarding. We met a lot of great people from the community of Beauval and hope to be able to reconnect with them again one day.”

Thank you, Ms. Sampson, for using your summer vacation to make a difference!

Pictured in the banner above (left to right)

The Davidson Fire Truck Engine 481 at the water fill station on the highway beside Beauval. The fire was just across the road from the community.

The Davidson and Swift Current RM Firefighters who travelled to Northern Saskatchewan to fight wildfires: (left to right) Cory Dean, Kristin Sampson, Joni Hofer, and Dylan Payne.

Ms. Sampson running the pump on Engine 481 while putting out hot spots at the control burn.

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