On May 21, 2018, a wildfire started along the shore of Family Lake and with very dry and windy conditions, it quickly grew out of control. The fire ultimately forced the evacuation of over 2,000 residents of Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi First Nations for over a month. By the time it was contained, the fire had burned 29,000 hectares (ha.) of forest in Manitoba and 3,000 ha. in Ontario. It damaged a one-kilometre-long section of Manitoba Hydro line, a sub-station, six residences and an equipment warehouse on Little Grand Rapids First Nation. In addition, it damaged 15 buildings at Moar Lake Lodge and five buildings at Fishing Lake Lodge. Fire suppression costs totalled $1.3 million in Manitoba and $500,000 in Ontario.
After an investigation by Manitoba Sustainable Development, with support from the RCMP and the community of Little Grand Rapids, three individuals face a number of charges in connection to the fire.
Damian Deacon Frost Bushie, 19, of Little Grand Rapids, and Ace River Turtle, 20, of Pikangikum, Ont., have been charged with arson and leaving a place without ensuring the fire is out. Another individual, a youth who cannot be named under The Youth Criminal Justice Act, has also been charged with arson and leaving a place without ensuring the fire is out.
Anyone with information about illegal activities is asked to call their local Manitoba Sustainable Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.
