By CHAT News Today/ Leah Murray

Bindloss residents meet with government officials following wildfire

Sep 14, 2017 | 5:10 PM

BINDLOSS, AB — More than 100 people showed up in Bindloss Thursday afternoon to learn about help and compensation for their land following wildfires in the hamlet.

Over 90,000 acres have been burned from the fire, and more than 160 cattle have lost their lives, with some in attendance saying they had to go into the fields to kill their cattle, many suffering from burns.

“I’ve got half a mile stretch with 85 dead cows laying on it and blowing up and bloating,” said range rider Lester Frank as he choked back tears. “People should have to come out and see this, the people who started it all should have to come out and see that.”

Frank said he had to put down several cattle and the disturbing images are something he will have to live with for the rest of his life.

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“Basically her eyes were welded shut, skin peeled off her, [she had] no hair.” Frank recalled after finding the first cow. “by the time we looked around in a the acre patch we found six more.”

A local state of emergency remains in place today, though most of the hot spots have been put out and electricity has been restored to residents.

The fire is believed to have started on CFB Suffield after an unexploded ordnance was detonated, and quickly grew out of control.

Acting base commander Major Hugh Atwell said they can’t confirm if their actions caused the fire outside the base as they are currently looking into it.

Fire officials who responded to the scene said they saw the fire cross over the fence from the base themselves and have no doubt it’s the same fire.

Residents expressing their frustration during the meeting, with much of it directed towards the base and how they were unable to go onto it to fight the fire.

“They burn their grass we’re not out nothing, it’s not nobody’s livelihood,” said Frank. “The grass on our side is our livelihood, we all make a living at it.”

Government representatives in attendance say they will take what they’ve heard back to government to find out what they are able to do to help.

-With files from Leah Murray