‘Follow the fire bans’: Officials urge caution after brush fire on Star Blanket First Nation

A wildfire at Star Blanket Cree Nation has grown to 600 acres, damaging structures as police continue to investigate the cause. Damian Smith reports.

A 100-acre fire that started Sunday afternoon here on Star Blanket First Nation, has damaged between 500-600 acres in the past 48 hours.

Local landmarks that have been burned include a community area with a baseball diamond and outdoor hockey rink.

As of Tuesday afternoon, one barn had been fully consumed.

Two suspects have been identified as “potentially starting a fire” according to File Hills First Nations Police Service (FHFNPS).

At this time, the FHFNPS says that the fire is still under investigation.

“I would just like to encourage the public that there’s fire bans in place,” said Cst. Travis Rosborough of the FHFNPS. “Follow the fire bans, do not put your community at unnecessary risk. There are heavy fines that can be placed on people burning materials, or even corporations that are burning materials during fire bans, as well as any time of year.

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Rosborough added the police service is looking at laying charges under the Wildfire Act, which includes a maximum fine per day of up to $500,000 and up to $1 million for a corporation.

Police say the cost of the damages is still under investigation, but so far their estimated to total more than $10,000.

The First Nations received assistance from Balcarres & Rural Fire Department, who were hard at work wetting down residences with water, and removing fuel sources around notable structures.

Fire crews also used heavy equipment to create berms or firebreaks, to protect surrounding residences.

File Hills Police said no homes had been damaged as of Tuesday afternoon, adding the closest flames had come to a residence was 35 feet.