Fires in extreme winter weather create challenges for first responders

Atlantic Canadian fire crews have been fighting fires under extreme winter weather conditions over the weekend.

On Sunday, firefighters and policeresponded to a house fire in Mermaid, P.E.I., which left a man homeless,RCMPCpl. ChrisGunnsaid.

A section of route 21 was closed for about an hour as first responders battled to get the fire under control.

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That fire was one of severalin the Atlantic region wheresnow, high winds and rain made fire fighting evenmore difficult for first responders.

'Getting very cold, getting very wet'

East River fire chief Rod MacDonald said just getting to a fire siteFriday was difficult.

"The roads weren't even plowed," he said.

That was just one of the challenges firefighters are dealing withthis winter, he said.

"You've got water spilling all over the road. You've got ice conditions. You've got members icing up themselves, getting getting very cold, getting very wet," he said.

Increased expenses

DanBedell, the communication director for theAtlanticRed Cross, said winter is when they receive the most requests for assistance.

"We've already responded to 25 different calls in the past two weeks," said Bedell.

This is the time of year when the organization spends the most money supporting victims of fire, he said.

"If they have left their home or apartment with just what they're wearing in the middle of winter, they may need replacement winter coats and boots and those costs can add up fairly quickly," said Bedell.

Bedell said the cost of assistance can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per person.

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