The community of ʔaq’am is focused on helping each other through difficult times as the more than 800 hectare St. Mary River Wildfire continues to burn in the area.
In a statement from the community, ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre confirms seven homes have been lost due to the fire, he says those seven homes represent ten per cent of the houses in the community.
Pierre says the community’s focus on on supporting each other and ensuring everyone’s safety, they’re asking the public and media to respect their request for privacy at this time.
An Evacuation Order covering 52 homes remains active while 33 properties remain on Evacuation Alert including Fort Steele Heritage Town.
The community is thankful for the donations that have come in so far, they’re asking you not send any material donations at this time – monetary donations can be directed through Ivan Winters at ʔaq’am at iwinter@aqam.net.
The community is not involved in any Go-Fund-Me initiatives, Pierre says there are some bogus accounts which are circulating online.
You’re reminded to respect all road closures within ʔaq’am to ensure emergency personnel have plenty of room to move around.
The fire was triggered Monday following a windstorm which knocked down BC Hydro lines, the heavy winds fanned the fire which prompted the blaze to grow rapidly.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says 105 personnel are battling the blaze with support from heavy equipment, helicopters and a skimmer group.
The fire is estimated at 850 hectares, a power has been restored to most properties which endured a lengthy power outage due to the blaze.
Find a statement from the community of ʔaq’am, via the Regional District of East Kootenay, below:
As the St. Mary’s River wildfire continues to burn within the community of ʔaq’am, its residents are focusing on supporting one another as multiple homes have already been lost and the full scale of damages continues to unfold.
“This has been a tremendously difficult week for our community. Yesterday, we met individually with all of the people who have lost homes, and then with the community as all of us are affected. But, we are Ktunaxa and we are strong. We are all family and when times are difficult, we as a community come together. In the days and weeks ahead, we will support one another and we will get through this,” says ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre.
A total of seven homes have been confirmed to have been lost when the fire, driven by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions, exploded Monday afternoon after downed power lines ignited nearby grasses. Due to the ongoing active fire and safety hazards, the full extent of the damage is not yet known. “To put the magnitude of the impact into perspective, those seven homes represent 10% of the houses in our community. They represent a home, shelter and security for those affected families,” adds Pierre. “Our focus right now is on supporting our community and ensuring everyone’s safety. We are respectfully asking the public and media to honour our request for privacy and for the time to support our community in the way we need to.”
Several roads within ʔaq’am remain closed and Pierre is urging all residents to respect the closures. “It is absolutely critical that people stay out of the closed areas. While we recognize people want to see the effects of the fire, it is extremely dangerous within the fire zone. In addition to the risk from the active fire itself, there are danger trees and other hazards and people need to stay out. We are also asking the public to stay out of the area to provide the BC Wildfire Service and responding crews full and unimpeded access.”
52 homes in ʔaq’am remain on Evacuation Order, with a further 10 on reserve on Evacuation Alert. 33 properties in the surrounding area also remain on Evacuation Alert, including Fort Steele Heritage Town. An Emergency Support Services (ESS) team has been on site since Monday supporting evacuees and an ESS Reception Centre is set up for evacuees and for a safe space for the community to come together. ʔaq’am is working closely with both the BC Wildfire Service and Regional District of East Kootenay as the priority will be to lift Evacuation Orders and Alerts as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
As the need for supplies and items for those who have lost their homes as a result of the fire becomes clearer, there are a number of agencies coordinating the gathering of donations. While financial donations are being accepted directly through Ivan Winters at ʔaq’am at iwinter@aqam.net, there are no Go Fund Me or other crowd sourcing campaigns being used. “It is disheartening and unfortunate that people prey on others’ suffering by starting scam fundraising sites,” adds Pierre. “We want to make sure residents are aware so they do not fall victim to these scams.”
City of Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services are working together with BC Wildfire Service crews on structure defense and structure protection. Heavy equipment and ground crews have been working overnight since Monday on establishing control lines. Ground crews are patrolling for spot fires along the St. Mary’s and Kootenay Rivers and are prepared to suppress as needed. Airtankers are supporting ground crews by reinforcing control lines with retardant. A skimmer group and heavy lift helicopter are assigned and will be using nearby water sources as needed. The BC Wildfire Service will be providing daily fire updates on the Wildfire of Note page on www.bcwildfire.ca.
“We are immensely grateful for the incredible outpouring of support from everyone and want to acknowledge the first responders, emergency personnel, emergency management teams and other stakeholders who are working in support of our residents and this community. There are no words at a time like this, but we want you to know your efforts are felt and your support is deeply, deeply appreciated,” adds Pierre.
– Article includes statement from the community of ʔaq’am
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