The Alberta RCMP are continuing to pursue charges and investigations after Premier Danielle Smith said the province would hire arson investigators following an unprecedented wildfire season.
On Wednesday, the RCMP responded to reports of multiple grass fires along Highway 9, between Hanna and Youngstown, about two hours east of Red Deer. According to an RCMP news release, police believe the fires were “intentionally set,” and are similar in nature to multiple grass fires that occurred near the area on June 13.
Hanna RCMP say they are seeking witnesses to the June 21 incident and any potential dashcam footage.
“As the suspect involved in this incident is still at large, the RCMP are asking for the public to be alert for suspicious activity in this area going forward, and to call 911 if you believe a criminal incident is in progress.”
Earlier this month, Smith announced she would hire arson investigators from outside the province as there are 175 wildfires with no known causes. The province said it requires additional support given the high number of active wildfires so early in the season.
Fires in Alberta reached a crisis point in early May, just days into the provincial election campaign, and during a time when the provincial firefighters typically undergo firefighting training exercises.
The province has already brought in two arson investigators from New Brunswick and two from BC. Investigators will determine if the fire was caused by humans.
Determining whether the fire was deliberately set, or arson, is the role of the RCMP or law enforcement. The Alberta RCMP’s Forestry Crimes Unit handles all arson related investigations.
Last month, the Forestry Crimes Unit laid two charges in a suspicious fire.
The charges stemmed from an April 13, 2023, investigation where a suspect stole a firework from a local food store in Grouard. The firework was then set off from a moving vehicle which started a grassfire that was ultimately contained.
Paval Laboucan (21), a resident of Peace River, was charged with Mischief and theft. He has ongoing court appearances in High Prairie.
