“This was a significant fire that was started suspiciously.”
Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) chief Jay Melvin said there’s an ongoing investigation into the 110-hectare Moose Lake fire. The blaze broke out near Range Road 474 on Monday, June 3. Thanks to the quick response from fire crews, the only damage caused was to the forest area and no injuries were reported.
After being closed to allow the groups to battle the fire, Rge. Rd. 474 has been reopened. It did sustain some damage as a result of heavy machinery that was used, and drivers are cautioned when using it.
Wildfire season is officially over in Alberta.
With the flames fully extinguished, the few evacuated residents in the area are back in their homes.
The boat launches at Vezeau Beach, Turcotte, Birch Grove, Bonnyville Beach, and North Shore Heights, as well as the MD’s Pelican Point Park, are also open for public use.
The call first came in on Monday, June 3, around 5 p.m., when a resident alerted 911 about a fire on Rge. Rd. 474 south of Hwy. 660.
”It was identified that there were three small fires and one large fire on the east side of Rge. Rd. 474,” Melvin noted during a press conference on Thursday, June 6.
Members from the Glendon station were dispatched, and determined there was a large fire moving east.
Melvin arrived on scene approximately 30 minutes after the 911 call was received, at which time the fire was estimated to be around 90-hectares and spreading rapidly. To assist with getting the blaze under control, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry helicopters were called in to drop water as ground crews worked on the north and south side of it.
Fire crews from Bonnyville, La Corey, and Iron River were also called to the scene.
Overnight, crews had established 50-foot cat guards on both the north and south sides of the fire. At one point, the fire jumped the line, but operators quickly contained the flames. A 25-foot cat guard was built on the south side that day as well.
”More assets were called in to help firefighters battle the blaze, including ATVs and side-by-sides, and helicopters also continued to bucket water on the fire until it was determined to be under control late on Tuesday and early into Wednesday morning,” Melvin detailed.
Due to the weather, an evacuation was ordered north of the burn site. The Franchere Provincial Recreation area, the MD of Bonnyville’s Pelican Point and private campgrounds, along with a couple of residents in Franchere, were included.
Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) identified that there was three small fires and one large fire on the east side of Rge. Rd. 474.
By the end of the day on June 4, firefighters had won the battle against the wind and contained the fire. While crews worked on hot spots overnight, members from Iron River and La Corey were sent home around 5 p.m.
On Wednesday, June 5, there were no live fires burning in the area and only two crews from the BRFA continued working in the morning.
With the blaze under control, residents were allowed back in the area late in the day.
Throughout the three days, roughly 80 to 100 emergency responders were at the site, including EMS, MD staff, RCMP officers, and firefighters.
After attending the scene on Tuesday, Reeve Greg Sawchuk expressed his appreciation for the hard work of all the firefighters involved.
”There’s no way we could praise them enough for the work that they did, and they’re coming out on their own time. Some of those guys were working for 12 hours, and then back again for another shift. We owe them an awful lot,” he said.
All firefighters and equipment from the BRFA were removed from the site by Thursday, June 6.
Melvin stressed the importance of the assistance received from the area when it came to offering resources and allowing the volunteer firefighters to attend the scene.
”Without the support of businesses that have volunteers on their staff, allowing them to go during their working hours, to leave work to respond to these incidents is critical,” he expressed. “The BRFA, along with the MD of Bonnyville, are very supportive of businesses that allow members to help us out when these emergencies happen because large wildfires like this need a lot of effort.”
In a email, Bonnyville RCMP S/Sgt. Sarah Parke said, “I would like to acknowledge the quick action of all emergency services involved from the four local fire departments, EMS and those who provided air support. The fire could have been much worse had it not been for their swift action.”
Melvin believes the investigation will be lengthy, and hopes to receive a report regarding the cause once it’s completed.
”There’s no timeline because it’s always fluid,” noted Bonnyville Sgt. Kim Hillier. “We hope to get it nailed down as quickly as possible, however, we’re working with the outside agencies as well, so it’s all inter-dependent on when people get certain things done.”
