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By Curtis Galbraith

Wildfires

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation says wildfires forced 1600 people to leave the community

May 8, 2023 | 1:46 PM

UPDATE May 10 from The Canadian Press

Indigenous Services Canada says a wildfire has destroyed 45 structures in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and 1600 people have been forced to leave.

Power infrastructure was also destroyed.

Sturgeon Lake is one of nine First Nations in Alberta threatened by wildfire.

Gift Lake Metis Settlement is now under an evacuation alert.

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A video posted on the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Administration Updates Facebook page says 1600 people from that community left because of wildfires.

Evacuees went to Grande Prairie and Valleyview, and Edmonton.

The video says an unofficial count says 40 structures have been damaged.

There is also no access to the community. There is what officials are calling substantial damage to the power grid. Power poles are down and, because there is no power, the water treatment plant stopped operating.

Security has been hired and security gates and concrete barricades are being put in place as safety precautions.

by Curtis Galbraith