Grass fire burned 4 homes in Samson Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation

An ashen wooded area stands mere feet from Flora Northwest’s home on Samson Cree Nation. She is grateful that her home is still standing after a devastating wildfire wreaked havoc in the area.

Northwest had taken half a day off of work on Friday to bring her grandson into town. On their way back home, her grandson spotted the wildfire. The flames were high and spreading rapidly, Northwest recalled. Within minutes of arriving home, the fire consumed an abandoned house and her brother’s home, before moving dangerously close to her own house.

Realizing the imminent danger, Northwest quickly ushered her grandson into their vehicle to evacuate as firefighters arrived on the scene, ultimately saving her house from the inferno.

“It’s so hard to get housing here. It’s so hard to get renovations here. To see houses burn like that, it’s heartbreaking for the families because we don’t have the means to rebuild,” Northwest expressed, feeling fortunate that their homes were spared.

The wildfire in Maskwacis, Alberta, approximately 80 kilometres south of Edmonton, destroyed four houses on Friday – two on Samson Cree Nation and two on the neighboring Ermineskin Cree Nation. The Maskwacis Fire Department declared a state of emergency as multiple agencies worked tirelessly to contain the blaze.

In a social media post, Samson Cree First Nation directed all affected individuals to the Howard Buffalo Memorial Centre in Maskwacis for assistance. Evacuees were provided support by SCN staff and the Red Cross, with additional information available by calling 780-585-3012.

Highway 611 between 2 Mile Road and 3 Mile Road in Samson Cree Nation was closed due to the grass fire but was later reopened. Millet Fire Department Captain Justin Rider, located roughly 30 kilometres north of Maskwacis, witnessed the smoke plumes and expressed the magnitude of the situation.

Eight different fire departments collaborated to combat the wildfire, with Millet Fire Department deploying a crew to the scene. Rider described the fire as massive, spanning over 1.5 kilometres wide and more than six kilometres long. The collaborative efforts of the fire departments prevented further devastation.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Alberta Wildfire dashboard reported a total of 23 active wildfires across the province. Ponoka County, including Maskwacis, was under a fire advisory, indicating an elevated wildfire risk in the region.

Rider advised caution against burning grass or garbage and emphasized the importance of fully extinguishing any previous burns, especially during windy conditions. Northwest echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the sacredness of fire in their culture and the destructive power it can unleash.

The traumatic experience left one of Northwest’s grandchildren shaken. While uncertain about her brother’s housing situation, she acknowledged the assistance he received at the emergency centre. The community is now focused on recovery and rebuilding after the harrowing wildfire incident.