An Indigenous community in northern Alberta has filed a lawsuit against the provincial government over its handling of a destructive wildfire that occurred three years ago. The East Prairie Metis Settlement is accusing the Alberta government of neglecting their duty to safeguard the community during the crisis. According to the lawsuit, the initial response to the fire and the communication provided were deemed insufficient, with priority given to non-Métis lands, leading to property and timber losses.
The 2023 Grizzly Complex Wildfire raged uncontrollably from early May to late June, scorching over 180,000 hectares in the Slave Lake Forest Area. The East Prairie Metis Settlement, situated approximately 165 kilometers east of Grande Prairie and 400 kilometers northwest of Edmonton, suffered significant damage, with around 90% of its land consumed by the fire. The blaze destroyed 54 homes and various outbuildings, impacting sites crucial for traditional practices like gathering medicinal plants and hunting.
Court documents revealed that the region faced adverse weather conditions with low snowpack, humidity, and strong winds in the spring before the fire outbreak. The lawsuit stated that the Slave Lake Forest Area had an “extreme” fire risk rating leading into May, emphasizing that the province lacked adequate firefighting personnel and resources to manage the situation effectively.
Local residents reportedly spotted smoke near the settlement as early as May 1, but the Alberta Wildfire Management Branch allegedly delayed identifying the Grizzly Complex fires. The lawsuit claims that only one initial attack crew was dispatched to combat the fires upon discovery, with airtankers shifting focus between areas. Furthermore, the movement of wildfire crews and equipment without clear reasons hampered firefighting efforts, including redeploying resources to distant areas while the settlement fire continued to burn.
On May 5, 2023, the community was evacuated with minimal notice, raising safety concerns due to limited escape routes. Communication challenges were exacerbated by ongoing local elections and issues with provided land maps, radios, and cellphones. The wildfire was classified as out of control until late June 2023.
Apart from the destruction of homes and land, the settlement suffered substantial economic losses, including over $19 million in timber revenue and an estimated $12 million from carbon offset credits. The lawsuit seeks compensation for various damages, including personal losses and impacts on traditional areas. The East Prairie Metis Settlement chairman, Raymond Supernault, declined to comment while the legal proceedings are ongoing.