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This release was issued under a previous government.

The Government of Alberta has turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) copies of all files and reports from its investigation into the wildfire that swept into the Town of Slave Lake on May 15.

“Our investigation into the origin of that fire ruled out everything but arson as a probable cause,” Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) Minister Frank Oberle said. “As a result, we have delivered our findings to the RCMP to determine if a criminal investigation is the next step.”

SRD identifies the cause of all wildfires that occur in the province’s Forest Protection Area (FPA) and investigates those believed to result from human activity. About half of the approximately 1,600 wildfires that typically ignite in the FPA each year are caused by lightning strikes; the other half arise from human actions such as unattended campfires, debris burning and industrial activity like gas flaring or slash burning.

The investigation of the cause of the Slave Lake wildfire took five months to complete and involved extensive onsite and offsite work to gather evidence according to internationally accepted standards for wildfire investigations.

“Our investigation took the time required to protect, collect, analyze and document evidence to the rigorous standards required for presentation in a court of law,” Oberle said.

The fire that burned into the Town of Slave Lake and nearby Poplar Estates was one of 45 to strike the Lesser Slave Lake Area between May 13 and 16. The 4,700-hectare fire began southeast of the Town on May 14, caused its 7,000 residents to be evacuated and eventually destroyed about 400 structures, mostly homes.

The wildfire caused an estimated $700 million in damages - the second-most-costly insured-damage disaster in Canadian history, behind the Quebec ice storm of 1998.

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Map/Backgrounder: Wildfire investigations follow internationally accepted criteria

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Duncan MacDonnell

Public Affairs Officer

Sustainable Resource Development

780-427-8636

duncan.macdonnell@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

Wildfire investigation: questions and answers

When did Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) locate the starting point of the fire?

Local municipal firefighters, with support from SRD, were immediately at the general area of origin of what is classified as Fire 65. Wildfire investigators were requested and dispatched immediately.

Who directed investigators to the starting point, and why?

The first firefighters to arrive at the site recognized it as the general area of origin, based on training fire personnel receive to identify the source of a fire and protect the scene for any investigation that may follow. Based on their training, they also recognized that the fire may have been caused by human activity and that a dedicated investigator should take over the scene.

What qualifications do fire investigators have?

Investigators must be qualified to the internationally accepted fire investigation training program, FI-210 - a comprehensive wildfire origin and cause determination process fundamental to wildfire investigations. Senior investigators also complete the more advanced FI-310 program on case development, management and organization for larger, more complex wildland fire investigations.

What process was followed at the scene of Fire 65’s origin?

Investigators followed a systematic and scientific approach consistent with the National Fire Protection Association’s guide for fire and explosion investigations and its standard for professional qualifications for fire investigators, as well as SRD’s wildfire investigation handbook and standards.

What are some of the elements of that process?

Among the main factors addressed by these advanced investigations are date and time of the incident, weather conditions, the size and complexity of the fire and the security of the scene of origin.

How did investigators proceed?

Indicators were followed to identify the general point of the fire’s origin, then a grid search of the area was conducted to identify and gather accurate data and facts pertaining to events, in order to begin eliminating potential causes.

What evidence was collected?

Specific evidence related to this fire cannot be shared while the file is under RCMP review.

How long did the work continue?

The field work was conducted over five months. Investigative work to gather facts, data and evidence occurred onsite and offsite.

What happened when the field work was completed?

The wildfire investigation report was completed in late October and submitted to Compliance and Investigations staff at SRD’s Provincial Forest Fire Centre for review. Once the decision was made to ask RCMP to consider a criminal investigation, copies of the report and all relevant files were delivered to the RCMP on October 31.

What does the report contain?

The report addresses the who, what, where, when, why and how of the fire’s origin. The report also includes investigator and first responder notes, the initial fire report and initial fire message, all statements and photographs taken, a detailed sketch map and a statement of how other potential causes were eliminated.

How many wildfires does Sustainable Resource Development investigate each year?

SRD investigates all fires in the Forest Protection Area for cause. The number varies each year; in the past five years, Alberta averaged 1,581 wildfires per year.

How many of those fires are human-caused?

About half of the wildland fires each year in Alberta are caused by human activity, including actions by property residents, recreationists and industry. The other half are caused by lightning strikes.

How many fires are considered arson?

Relatively few, compared to the total number of fires each year in the province. In the past five years, 25 wildfires in Alberta were determined to be arson related.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Duncan MacDonnell

Public Affairs Officer

Sustainable Resource Development

780-427-8636

duncan.macdonnell@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.