A Metis community 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton is seeking damages from the province due to their handling of the 2023 Grizzly Complex Wildfire that burned over over 180,000 hectares in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Amended court documents were filed by the community in late April.
Homes and a large portion of the Settlement’s timber were destroyed in the blaze
Eagle Andersen · CBC News
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An Indigenous community in northern Alberta has launched a lawsuit against the provincial government for its response to a devastating wildfire three years ago.
The East Prairie Metis Settlement is suing the Alberta government for allegedly failing to protect the community.
The lawsuit alleges the initial firefighting response and communication was inadequate while other non-Métis lands were prioritized, resulting in the loss of homes and timber.
The 2023 Grizzly Complex Wildfire burned out of control from early May until the end of June, scorching more than 180,000 hectares in the Slave Lake Forest Area.
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EPMS is located approximately 165 kilometres east of Grande Prairie and 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
About 90 per cent of EPMS’s land burned, and 54 homes and outbuildings were destroyed by the blaze, according to a statement of claim filed on April 27. Numerous sites used for gathering traditional medicines, hunting and trapping were also devastated, the lawsuit alleges.
No statement of defence has been filed. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
In an Aug. 20 statement to CBC News, Alberta’s Office of the Minister of Justice highlighted their commitment to preserving public safety during wildfire season.
“Alberta's government is committed to protecting communities and supporting Albertans impacted by wildfires through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery efforts across the province,” the statement read.
The province declined to comment further while the matter is before the court.
Poor preparation
Court filings highlight the low snowpack, humidity and high winds in the region during that spring.
The Slave Lake Forest Area had an “extreme” fire danger rating heading into May, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit alleges the province did not have enough firefighters and resources to respond appropriately when the wildfire started.
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Community members observed smoke south of the settlement as early as May 1, but Alberta’s Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) didn’t identify the Grizzly Complex fires until days later, the documents allege.
EPMS alleges there were not enough initial attack crews deployed to fight the fires upon their discovery, claiming only one crew was sent. The lawsuit also alleges airtankers would not complete their attack in one area before moving to another area at times.
The lawsuit alleges wildfire crews and equipment moved frequently without apparent reason, taking time away from firefighting efforts. As an example, EPMS points to the redeployment of resources to the west near Banana Belt while the settlement fire was raging.
The community was evacuated on the morning of May 5, 2023 with just an hour’s notice after previously being told not to worry, the lawsuit said.
‘Only one road out of the settlement’ - court documents allege
“As there is only one road out of the settlement, this late notice seriously jeopardized the safety of members of EPMS,” the documents said.
The settlement also highlighted issues with land maps and government provided radios and cellphones. EPMS was in the process of a local election which further exacerbated those communication challenges during the fire.
Wildfire activity was classified as out of control until late June 2023.
Seeking damages
In addition to lost homes, more than 30,000 hectares of land and commercial grade timber was destroyed amounting to more than $19 million in lost timber revenue and an additional estimated $12 million due to loss of carbon offset credits, according to court documents.
Other damages related to loss of homes, personal effects and traditional areas are also being sought by EPMS.
CBC News reached out to EPMS chairman Raymond Supernault for an interview, but he did not comment as the matter is currently before the courts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eagle Andersen is a reporter for CBC News in Grande Prairie. He previously worked as an associate producer for CBC News in Kamloops, B.C. You can reach him at eagle.andersen@cbc.ca.
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