Northern Alberta community likely lost water treatment plant, church and homes to wildfire: reeve [Video]

The small, northern Alberta community of Chipewyan Lake likely lost more than two dozen structures, including a water treatment plant, a church, a seniors drop-in centre, a health centre and homes, after a wildfire swept through the area last week, according to a local leader. No fatalities have been reported in connection with the fire.

Marcel Auger, the reeve of the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17, spoke to Global News about what he and other local leaders saw when they were given the chance to fly over the evacuated community and survey the damage.

A preliminary assessment found the school is likely intact but that 27 structures have been lost. Auger said he hopes to have a more official assessment of the damage early this week.

“That fire came in so fast,” Auger said, saying he has learned more details about the fire’s size and ferocity from speaking with local …