May 5 phot of the fire near Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Photo by Jennifer Mills.

By Curtis Galbraith

Wildfires

Loewen says people in his area are ready to start rebuilding

May 17, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Central Peace Notley MLA Todd Loewen says there are a lot of people in his constituency very upset because of the fires.

Loewen’s riding includes Valleyview and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, both of which have been evacuated. Dozens of buildings, including 36 homes have been destroyed in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

“There are a lot of tears, but they’re strong people. They’re hard-working, diligent. They’re just ready to get at it and rebuilding right away.”

“A lot of people have evacuated to Edmonton now and so they’re waiting to be able to come back.”

Loewen says power and natural gas have to be restored to areas that did not burn first.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Premier Danielle Smith says one estimate puts the time frame to rebuild at one to three years.

Loewen says when people come back, there will be clean up to do before rebuilding can begin.

“I think just because of the sheer volume, that’s the time frame that they are kind of indicating. Just the sheer volume of homes and the rebuilding of the community, it’s going to take some time to get all that construction done,” Loewen says.

“I’m sure there will be some homes in place a lot quicker than that, of course, but to do a total rebuild on a community that size then, it’s going to take some time. There’s no doubt.”

The power grid and water treatment plant were also impacted.

Loewen notes, “I don’t know how many power poles but just about every road had just rows and rows of power poles that were just burned right up … right into the yards where the transformer pole was burned off laying there on the ground.”

“There’s a lot of work to do.”