'That fire was jumping roads': Sask. First Nation councillor pleads for caution in wake of runaway grass fire
A band councillor at Red Pheasant Cree Nation says he’s considering putting up surveillance cameras around the community in the wake of a runaway grass fire that nearly destroyed several homes on Monday.
“Somebody purposely started fires on the reserve yesterday and we don’t know who it was,” Coun. Leroy Nicotine said in a phone interview Tuesday.
He said they first became aware of the fire around 9:30 a.m., as heavy smoke started blowing towards the town site.
“In the town site, the houses are so close together, and there was 50 mile an hour winds yesterday. That fire was jumping roads fairly quickly,” Nicotine said.
Nicotine said they could have lost housing if crews from the neighbouring Mosquito reserve didn’t step in to help.
“We have our own fire equipment, but it’s really good to see neighbouring communities chip in and help out.”
As volunteer crews fought the fire, staff at the health centre in Red Pheasant shared an “urgent memo” on Facebook, warning community members to take precautions and stay indoors as the air quality posed a significant health risk.
(Source: Facebook / Red Pheasant Cree Nation)
“As you may be aware, there are ongoing fires in the vicinity which have significantly impacted air quality in our area. It is imperative that we take necessary precautions to safeguard our health and well-being.”
Band staff also took to Facebook — trying to find out who started the fire.
At one point on Monday afternoon, they shared a photo of a truck seen near the source of the fire, offering a $500 reward for the community member who could identify the driver.
Nicotine said that was a false alarm, and turned out to be someone from SaskPower working nearby.
He said they’re still trying to find out how it started.
“If it was just an accident, someone could at least come forward and say, ‘Yeah, I accidentally threw a cigarette out, and it got away, and I was scared to tell people something.’ We just need answers,” Nicotine said.
“We pay a lot of money for firefighters to come out, and we almost lost a few homes yesterday. Thank goodness that we didn’t, but it could have been a whole lot worse than what it was.”
The region surrounding North Battleford and Red Pheasant is at a high risk for wildfire, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. A fire ban has been in effect in the area since April 10.
“It’s super dry, like people should use common sense,” Nicotine said.
“If you lost your home, you lose everything; all your belongings. These are the things people don’t think of when they start fires or throw cigarettes when it’s so dry out. They gotta be more accountable.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
No sign Canada has a plan to reach NATO defence spending target: U.S. NATO ambassador
The U.S. ambassador to NATO says she has seen no indication that Canada has a plan to reach the NATO spending target of two per cent of GDP on defence.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
More seniors are using homeless shelters. Here's why, according to experts
One of the country’s homeless shelters has seen an uptick in the number of people through its doors, including more older adults over 50.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Apollo Hess, Indigenous swimmer, to take on 2024 Summer Olympics
Getting the call that changes your life can feel like time stops in its track. For one small-town Alberta man, a dream he has been training for since he was a child is coming true and it will take him and his team overseas.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.