One Dene Tha’ elder says this is the second time in recent memory his community of Meander River has been forced to evacuate, due to a nearby Forrest Fire.
Roy Salopree, who is well known for his Dene Drumming across the Dehcho Region is one of 25 people from his community staying at the Dene Wellness facility on the Katlodeeche First Nation in Hay River.
“We had to leave our community in 2012, but that time the fire was North of our homes,” recalled Salopree.
He said he chose to come North to Hay River, instead of going South to Slave Lake. He has family and many friends in Hay River, and says it feels just like home.
“We’re not the only one’s evacuated. People from Chateh, Bushie River, and High Level had to go on Monday. We’re scattered all over.”
Municipal firefighters continue to arrive in High Level from areas all over Alberta. As of Thursday night 154 firefighters and approximately 60 firetrucks and support units were on duty.
Municipal Firefighters and community volunteers continue to work with Alberta Wildfire firefighters on protection efforts for the Town of High Level and Dene Tha’ communities. The Chuckegg Creek wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres south of the town within Mackenzie County. The out-of-control wildfire is almost 97,600 hectares in size.
