Note: This article has been updated since it was first posted online to include further comment from fire officials.
Wildfire came to Maskwacis on Friday, April 25, causing an evacuation as the fire claimed several homes, however, coordinated efforts from the Four Nations and neighbouring fire departments helped contain the damage.
The fire broke out in the area of Highway 611 east between 2 Mile and 3 Mile roads.
Ermineskin Cree Nation posted at 6:22 p.m. that homeowners were evacuating and the Neyaskweyahk Okimow Kamik Building was open as a designated shelter.
"All affected residents are welcome to seek refuge there until it is safe to return home," stated the post.
In Samson Cree Nation (SCN), the emergency evacuation centre was set up at the Howard Buffalo Memorial Centre.
SCN advised the fire was contained by 7:17 p.m., and roads were open again at 9:30 p.m.
An update from SCN Emergency Management just after 10 p.m. stated that three houses were lost: one in Samson and two in Ermineskin. The other houses that burned were abandoned.
Fire teams monitored hot spots throughout the night.
SCN stated the emergency would have been worse if not for the efforts and supports of the eight fire departments that answered the call, as well as several organizations that responded.
The fire departments that responded were Samson, Louis Bull, Ermineskin, Ponoka County Regional Fire Services, Wetaskiwin, Millet, Sam Minde Elements FireTack, and Rocky Mountain Wildfire which provided planes and a helicopter to combat the blaze.
"When community comes together, good things come out of bad situations. Our thoughts are with all who lost property in this massive fire," Millet Fire Department posted Saturday morning, April 26.
According to Ponoka County Regional Fire Services Protective Services Coordinator Donna Noble, 11 of their personnel and four fire apparatuses were dispatched from the county to provide mutual aid.
"That's what we're here for," said Noble.
They received the call at about 4:15 pm and were onsite for around six hours, she said.
Their firefighters were assigned structure and grass protection in an area south of 611 towards the train crossing around the 2 Mile corner.
She added they were able to save all the structures assigned to them.
Organizations that leapt into action included the Red Cross, Ponoka County traffic control, Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin RCMP, Samson Public Works, Mobile Mental Health, Victim Services, Samson Community Wellness and the Ermineskin Cree Nation Elders Department, among others.
Last but not least was the SCN Emergency Management team.
"They were organized and a calm beacon in a dangerous moment," stated SCN.
Tina Crier posted a shout out to Ermineskin Public Works on social media, saying the department was on site until after dark, assisting with traffic control at the 611 west train crossing and helping to keep the fire at bay with their equipment on the north part of Ermineskin.
Crier noted two non-Indigenous farmers also showed up with their machinery to help keep the fire from spreading further north.
"Very awesome to see all of our communities come together to do what had to be done," said Crier.
The Ermineskin Fire Department was unavailable for comment on Monday, April 28, as their members were out dealing with other calls.
Donations are now being taken at the Ermineskin Security Building for the families that are now without shelter and supplies due to the fire.
Visit Ermineskin Security for details or contact them at 780-585-2004.
