Rangers based in the NWT will hold exercises off Highway 5 near Sandy Lake later this month.
The operation will take place from Feb. 21 to March 4.
“Activities will include establishing camps, and temporarily marking austere airstrips and helicopter landing zones,” Capt. Christopher Newman wrote in a news release. “Residents in the area can expect to see increased Canadian Ranger activity in the area during this training event.”
He said the exercise by members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group would take place closer to the east side of the lake, which is about 106 kilometres east of Hay River.
“This activity is being conducted as part of the Canadian Ranger Type 3 patrol that will see multiple patrols link up and conduct training,” Newman explained. “Canadian Rangers from the Hay River, Fort Smith, and Fort Resolution patrols will be participating as well as a headquarters element from Yellowknife.
He said members of the patrol will remain in their community patrol bubbles as a COVID-19 precaution and standard public health measures will be adhered to.
No training activities will occur within Wood Buffalo National Park.
“Participating Canadian Rangers will be armed with their issued C-19 rifles for predator control, however no live fire ranges will be conducted. The camping area will be remediated prior to departure at the conclusion of the training event.”