By KELLY LOUISEIZE

This winter’s mild weather has plagued the Pickle Lake community, as transports are unable to get supplies to area communities because the ice is too thin.

“We don’t have good ice which means there is far less traffic through our town,” Carolyn Hochstetler, acting clerk/treasurer says.

Pickle Lake is the first gas station that sells gas off the winter roads route. In a good winter approximately 200 to 300 trucks pass through their town because it is the main winter road artery connecting Northern communities. Passengers and truckers travelling through usually stop for meals, gas and at times an overnight stay, so having very little transportation through the community is a major hit.

Companies like Spring Hill Lumber depend on getting their supplies through by winter road since it cuts the freight cost significantly. All the fuel for their generators and heating comes by way of transport and right now nothing is getting through, she says.

The alternative for companies and communities is air cargo. Wasaya and North Star Air are positioned in Pickle Lake to assist with freight supplies.

Every time a mild winter occurs talks between government and reserves on constructing an all weather road comes back on the table. If every year communities are finding less products can get through because of a warmer season then talks will have to be stepped up, Hochstetler says.