‘Like Burnt Toast’: Wildfire Destroys Homes in Northern Alberta Metis Settlement

A helicopter drops a bucket of water on the Chuckegg Creek wildfire west of High Level, AB. on May 25, 2019. Government of Alberta, Chris Schwarz/The Canadian Press

ALBERTA—More than a dozen homes in a northern Alberta Metis community have been destroyed by an aggressive wildfire and there are concerns that more properties may be consumed.

“It’s like a burnt piece of toast up there,” said Blake Desjarlais of the Metis Settlements General Council, describing the fire’s path of destruction in Paddle Prairie, about 70 kilometres south of the town of High Level.