By CHAT News Today

Province announces more aid for residents affected by Hilda wildfire

Mar 5, 2018 | 11:24 AM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB — More provincial aid is coming for farmers and ranchers affected by the Hilda wildfire last year.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier told CHAT News over the phone on Monday that the province will be providing a $200,000 one-time grant for those affected by the fires in Cypress County and the MD of Acadia. The grant will be divided among all ranchers affected to cover the millions of dollars in loss from the fire.

The fire, which began on October 17, was quickly fuelled by high winds, and burned approximately 35,000 hectares in Cypress and Acadia counties.

Almost 200 head of cattle were killed as a result of the fire, and buildings, fences and fields were damaged.

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In December, the province announced funding through the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). Farmers were able to access interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to help replace assets, fund working capital and pay any expenses. Farmers can still access those loans until March 31.

The province also announced the Wildfire Water Supply Program will be available to help replace watering systems damaged by the fire.

Carlier believes the grant, coupled with the interest-free loans, is enough to help people in the region.

“This will go a long way,” he said over the phone from Mayerthorpe. “It’s quite a bit more than say the neighbouring province in Saskatchewan has done and they have more affected.

“We are hoping it will go a long way to assist and we hope that those folks will take a second look to the zero-interest loan program and give them a bit of a boost as well to get them back on their feet.”

Cypress County Councillor Robin Kurpjuweit said the money doesn’t go far in enough to help affected farmers and ranchers.

“When we found out that the $200,000 will be divided between Hilda and Acadia Valley area, (it) falls short of what we feel is going to be required to get the community back on its feet,” he said.

Kurpjuweit said although the $200,000 grant sounds like a large sum of money, it won’t go far to help replace lost fence lines. He explained over 100 miles was lost in the wildfire and it will cost over $750,000 alone to replace.

“It’s pretty hard for you to take a rancher who has lost cattle, fences and pasture (to) get back into cattle without fencing,” he said. “There is so much that needs to be done, the number would probably need to be five, six, seven times what it is.”

Carlier said he has not had the opportunity to visit either of the wildfire sites in the past four and a half months.

Kurpjuweit said he hopes the minister will understand the needs of rural Albertans, and he plans to continue making sure rancher’s voices are heard.

“It is frustrating as we don’t see results we want,” he said. “We are going to keep pushing forward, we won’t be forgotten, we have a voice and we’ll be visible as we continue to build that relationship.”

In two weeks, Cypress County is meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Municipal Affairs in Edmonton. Kurpjuweit said he hopes they can help the Alberta government understand farmers and ranchers need a lot more assistance.

The program will be available before the end of the month and for more details farmers can contact:

Andy Kirschenman of the Hilda and Community Association

Brent Williams, CAO of Municipal District of Acadia (403) 872 – 3808