In a press conference today, the ʔaq’am community confirmed that seven homes were lost in the fire that was sparked on Monday afternoon.
“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,” said ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre.
“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.”
Several roads remain closed and the public is urged to follow those closures.
“It is absolutely critical that people stay out of the closed areas,” said Pierre.
“While we recognize people want to see the effects of the fire, it is extremely dangerous within the fire zone.”
There are 52 homes in ʔaq’am still on evacuation order and another 10 on the reserve on alert.
Thirty-three properties in the surrounding area are also still on alert.
“Our focus right now is on supporting our community and ensuring everyone’s safety” Pierre added.
“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.”
The fire was started by downed power lines and has grown to an estimated 850 hectares.
