Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A full assessment of the damage to Chipewyan Lake will have to wait until the propane tanks stop flaring. The most recent aerial assessment estimates the damage at 49 per cent of the structures, but this could be higher as not all damage is visible from the air.
“There’s nobody that can go into the community,” said M.D. of Opportunity CAO Chad Tullis at the June 11 M.D. meeting.
The community is heated with propane, so each building has a large propane tank and some of them are burning, making it unsafe to enter the community.
The hazmat team cleared one third of the area, says Tullis, then were stopped by the tanks. It is unknown when it will be safe for the firefighters to return to assess the damage.
This particular aspect of the fire situation came up because a Chip Lake community member had asked to return to the community to collect his dogs, which animal control hadn’t been able to catch in the initial evacuation.
Roy Yellowknee, M.D. councillor for Chip Lake, brought up the request.
Tullis said that once it is safe, and the firefighters had been able to finish the assessment, then animal control would look into the situation.
On June 10, M.D. Reeve Marcel Auger flew over Chip Lake with Dan Williams, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Williams had no idea the extent of the damage, said Auger.
Auger talked to Williams about whether the deputy premier would be able to get funds for residents who weren’t able to get insurance. Also, on behalf of Deputy Reeve Brendan Powell Auger asked if the province had supports for businesses who were losing money because they were evacuated. The final question was what other ministers the M.D. should speak with.
“He took it in,” said Auger, “and I get the sense that he really does want to help us. I was really impressed.”
The M.D. and Bigstone Cree Nation have formed a steering committee to oversee the rebuild of Chipewyan Lake.
On June 10, they held a meeting with Chip Lake evacuees, which included gathering information from the evacuees on various topics, including temporary housing.
The evacuees are “grateful for how welcoming Wabasca has been,” said Auger.
Councillor Tahirah Wiebe said that she thought she had been able to talk a resident out of returning to the community. He has solar panels, so didn’t think the loss the power lines should mean he can’t return.
However, any return will have to be after the propane tank danger has passed and the water plant has been replaced or a temporary one has been set up.
Councillor Cheri Courtorielle mentioned a few slips of paper she’d found while cleaning up from the meeting, about temporary shelters. One said, “please keep us together as a community.” Another said, “keep us as a community, but away from Wabasca.” Another said, “we don’t want trailers.”
Some people liked the idea of renting from people they know in Wabasca, said Councillor Darlene Jackson. Another idea was RVs.
“It was such a good meeting,” said Jackson.
It was the first meeting that has included laughter, said Wiebe.
Deputy Reeve Brendan Powell asked M.D. Regional Fire Chief Lee Bissell how the eight firefighters were doing, who were trapped for the night of May 29 to 30 in Chip Lake.
“The crew that was in Chip is doing a lot better,” said Bissell. Alberta Wildfire provided immediate mental health supports. The M.D. hired a former firefighter to do some mental health training and check in on them. He has checked base with both the M.D. and Strathmore Wildland Urban Interface teams.