Crisis & Recovery
The Official Story of the Lesser Slave River Wildfires
The dense forest throughout Lesser Slave River adds to our region's rugged mystique. However, our most abundant natural asset can also pose a very real danger to lives, homes and livelihoods when wind direction, moisture codes and other variables conspire. In the early afternoon of Sunday, May 15, 2011, conditions for disaster to strike could not have aligned with more devastating precision.
By now, most of us have heard about the Lesser Slave River wildfires; the largest natural disaster in Canadian history. But the most important stories left to tell are those of communities working together to help one another. Of firefighters who drove hundreds of kilometres to join the fight. Of municipal neighbours who donated clothing, fresh water and other vital supplies in the blink of an eye. These are their stories.
Content for this section of our website has been gathered from many sources including media outlets, municipal workers on site, and in many cases ordinary individuals who rose to the task of helping their neighbours to safety. While their words, images and videos have been vital in helping us tell our story, we request that they remain on this site with the exception of reproduction for educational purposes.
Please Contact Us prior to using any content displayed herein for commercial or editorial purposes.
HELPING THE HELPLESS
When reality set in and it became apparent that homecoming was weeks away for Lesser Slave residents, Animal Rescue was tasked with finding, feeding and relocating pets left behind in the panic. Read about it here.
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
From within our borders to far flung towns and municipalities, assistance was offered from a variety of sources. Click here to discover how these everyday heroes have helped before, during and after the disaster.
PICKING UP THE PIECES
The smoke has cleared and the fires extinguished, but the real work is now before us. What lessons have we learned from this tragedy, and what are we doing to repair the lives and livelihoods of those affected?
FIRE WEATHER INDEX
CRISIS PRESENTATION
View an immersive presentation on the spring 2011 wildfires.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Listen to the personal accounts of those who weathered the fires.
Angeline, Safety Coordinator
Darren, Councillor
Kelly, Human Resource Coordinator
INTERACTIVE MAP
Discover where the wildfires began and how they spread
