A file is still open on one of two structure fires from recent weeks in the Lac La Biche area.
Both fires were on residential properties, and both were along the Mission Road.
Lac La Biche County’s Regional Fire Chief and Protective Services Manager John Kokotilo says a mid-February fire at a garage on a property near the Lac La Biche airport is still being reviewed by insurance investigators, while a fire that destroyed a home near the Lac La Biche Mission site was the result of an electrical issue.
While fire officials have been warning about the upcoming wildfire season, structure fires continue to be a concern.
In both recent fires, no injuries were reported. The larger of the two, the blaze that completely demolished a home just west of the 250-year-old historic site, was reported on February 28, with the call coming in just before five in the morning.
Kokotilo says the blaze drew fire crews from four fire halls across the municipality, and despite a quick response, the home was completely engulfed when crews arrived on scene.
Fire help funding
Lac La Biche County Fire Services is continuing to offer a rebate program for area residents looking to reduce the risk of fires on their property. Applications for the Wildfire Mitigation Incentive Program, a component of the FireSmart program, can be found at the municipal website. Successful applicants can be eligible for up to $2,500 in funding for fire prevention initiatives.