Winter roads are essential to Northern First Nations communities as the major of their goods and services including fuel, housing materials, and food are shipped into the communities.
But with changes in the weather yielding above-normal temperatures year after year, the time frame for winter roads is getting shorter.
However, Roy Fiddler, the winter road coordinator for Muskrat Dam First Nation, is relieved that the ice roads for many First Nations communities are ready for commercial motorists to use after the two-week cold in late January.
“We had some good luck with the winter for the past two weeks. The weather turned cold. It was on average minus 35 for the two-week period, so that really helped tighten up the road,” said Fiddler.
The turnaround in weather has solidified the winter road in the north, so commercial vehicles can make the trip over the ice.
“We’re good to go now,” said Fiddler.
Fiddler said that two weeks ago a semi-truck entered the community with 32,000 pounds of fuel, which he said was about a quarter load. As the ice-hardened, they gradually increased the load.
“Up until three days ago, we were operating up to three-quarter loads of diesel and gas, and last night, the Esso’s crossed with a full load of diesel, which is about 80,000 pounds. We reached the maximum load yesterday, so we should be able to pull into Sachigo First Nations as well,” Fiddler said.
Fiddler said that everyone is getting ready to be busy with deliveries now that ice roads are holding solid.
Although, he does comment that the warm weather is far from over across northern Ontario. Day-time traffic is limited as daily highs return. Commercial vehicles drive the iced road during the evening and overnight due to the drop in temperature.
Nevertheless, Fiddler is optimistic.
“They are holding up very well,” said Fiddler.
