Watch above: Calvin To meets Sgt. Kenney Somerset, a Canadian soldier helping to fight the northern Saskatchewan wildfires.
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – With the wildfire firefighting campaign turning into months instead of weeks, attention is now turning to supporting the soldiers who are out on the front lines in northern Saskatchewan. On Monday, 65 soldiers rolled in from Edmonton to provide long-term logistical aid.
Global News spoke with one soldier about his personal struggle and his conviction to help others.
Sgt. Kenney Somerset has been to wars all around the world, but he’s in Saskatchewan for a different kind of battle.
He’s part of 1 Service Battalion, a support unit for troops on the front lines of firefighting efforts. There are 65 soldiers doing everything from serving meals to fixing vehicles to shuttling supplies.
“Everything they possibly need, we will get for them, and we’ll push it forward to make their job easier and more efficient,” said Somerset.
READ MORE: Soldier reported missing amid Saskatchewan wildfires found safe
But what’s remarkable is that he’s even alive to be here in the first place. Seven years ago, his vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and he ended up in a wheelchair.
“From start to finish, I died three times.”
But his courage to fight helped him get back on his feet. Now, he’s helping his comrades fight nearly 130 wildfires raging in the province.
As the mission grows longer, the importance of 1 Service Battalion gets even greater, providing not just necessities of life, but making the troops more comfortable.
“We have a mobile shower at the front line, so when the troops are done a long day, 12 to 14 hour days fighting the fires, they can come wash off the soot,” said Maj. Joseph Boland, a forward logistical group commander.
READ MORE: Rain in northern Saskatchewan ‘not enough’ to douse wildfires
His unit received orders on Sunday and deployed on Monday from Alberta. Although no bullets are flying, people’s homes are at risk and these soldiers are doing everything they can to help their fellow citizens get through this.
As for Somerset, there is no place he’d rather be.
“I can’t describe how proud I am to be able to help my country and specifically to help Saskatchewan fight these fires that are coming down and threatening land, homes and people,” said Somerset.
Although it’s unclear when communities will be declared safe, one thing’s for sure; Somerset is in this campaign for the long haul.
With files from Calvin To
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