Wildfires have become a prominent year-round concern for the Ktunaxa Nation community of Aq'am, from supporting members to researching and funding prescribed burns in the area.Pete and Dolly Andrew at the edge of their property in Aq'am in April 2024, looking over the land where their home once stood before it was destroyed by the St. Mary River wildfire in July 2023.
"We know that we are going to get our house built, we know that much," said Dolly — but added that it could take up to two years.The Ktunaxa Nation's ongoing work to help members like Dolly and Pete is one way that wildfires have become a prominent year-round concern for the community, from supporting members to researching and funding prescribed burns in the area.
The St. Mary River fire was officially declared out by the B.C. Wildfire Service in October 2023, having burned a total of 46.4 square kilometres of land.Pierre says mental health support, including access to registered nurses and family support workers, is available for the community through the Aq'am Health and Wellness Centre, which was built in 2020.
It is also working closely with the Regional District of East Kootenay to make sure residents are signed up for evacuation notification systems.He says the lessons learned from last summer include the importance of working together as neighbours, and across the province, to keep people and their homes safe.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said the prescribed burn helped keep the St. Mary River fire at bay, while airport manager Tristen Chernove said last July that it offered "really great protection" to the airport.