CN and the Government of Alberta pursue joint wildfire-prevention programs

$18.6 million civil settlement reached for 2001 Chisholm wildfire

January 13, 2006, Edmonton... CN and the Government of Alberta have agreed to jointly participate in a number of wildfire prevention programs over the next 10 years, as part of an $18.6 million civil settlement of claim resulting from a wildfire along rail tracks near Chisholm, Alberta, in 2001.

In addition to a one-time $10 million payment to the provincial treasury, CN will provide $8.6 million in funding and assistance over the next decade for a number of community-based programs across Alberta. The new and enhanced programs and efforts, designed to reduce the risk, number and severity of wildfires in the province, include:

Alberta FireSmart Program: community-based wildfire hazard reduction measures in Chisholm and the surrounding area, as well as in other communities adjacent to CN rail lines.
Wildfire research: programs to be selected by the Government of Alberta, under Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada guidelines, for wildfire research.
Forestry youth programs: in cooperation with the Government of Alberta, support to the Junior Forest Wardens, Junior Forest Rangers and Aboriginal Junior Forest Rangers.
Wildfire prevention course: CN will provide financial support to training for wildfire prevention and suppression courses at the Hinton Training Centre.
CN will create annual fire control plans and train employees in wildfire prevention and suppression and CN will place two water tank cars at remote locations, to be selected by the Government of Alberta, for fighting wildfires.
In addition, CN shall establish a program to financially assist persons who resided in Chisholm and the surrounding area at the time of the wildfire and suffered uninsured incidental property damage and loss from the wildfire. Chisholm residents can phone 1-877-887-9982 for more information.

These measures are established to settle a disputed claim, and the agreement is not an admission of liability or responsibility by CN.

Albertans are encouraged to report any information they have concerning human-caused wildfires by:

Calling 310-0000 anywhere in Alberta and asking to be connected to the Sustainable Resource Development - Forest Protection Division office.
Calling the CrimeStoppers TIPS line at 1-800-222-TIPS. Calls are anonymous and if the information received leads to a conviction, the caller could get a reward.

Contact Information

Donna Babchishin

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Contact via E-mail