East Prairie Metis Settlement starting to rebuild after wildfire

Jul 14, 2023 | 2:40 PM

A northern Alberta community is rebuilding homes and clearing out land after a devastating May wildfire.

Carrol Johnson lives in East Prairie Metis Settlement, south of High Prairie.

Johnston, who is 72, lost her home of 20 years two months ago.

She says it was disheartening to lose everything, but now she’s looking to start again.

The East Prairie Metis Settlement lost more than 40 homes and 14 of them had people living in them.

The council is now helping families by bringing in modular homes.

Councillor Reva Jaycox says the settlement has made a down payment on those homes and they would cost about $4 million.

However, she says it’s not certain when the new homes will be delivered.

Until then, Johnston says she will be living in a neighbour’s house next door, which has been uninhabited for over a year.

(The Canadian Press)

by The Canadian Press