Billy-Joe Tuccaro, the chief of Mikisew Cree First Nation, said four homes have been destroyed by the wildfire that’s burning near Fort Chipewyan in northern Alberta.
The First Nation is about 280 kilometres north of Fort McMurray and is part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. In an update Thursday afternoon, Tuccaro said he had just been on a flight over the Allison Bay area. “I was notified by Alberta Forestry that we have lost some cabins in the Devil’s Gate reserve area.
We tried to get in there to get a good visual but the smoke is heavy and thick.” Tuccaro said he wasn’t able to see which cabins were destroyed by fire.
He added that as soon as community officials know the details, they’ll let anyone affected know. “I’m sorry to bring the bad news.” Tuccaro said he’s spoken with Alberta minister of Indigenous Affairs, Rick Wilson, and federal minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, about support for rebuilding. “I’m terribly sorry to break that news.” On May 30, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) issued a joint evacuation order for the entire Fort Chipewyan community.