Slave Lake is a rural community located in Northern Alberta, on the south and southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake. On May 14 and 15, 2011, it suffered a massive wildfire event that forced the evacuation of the entire population of the Town of Slave Lake (approximately 7,000 residents), the Sawridge First Nation and some residents of the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. Residents of the affected area were under a mandatory evacuation order for almost two weeks. The fire affected about one-third of the town, destroying over 700 residences, some businesses, and the town hall (with included the municipal library, town administrative offices, and regional provincial government offices). Almost 60 properties were also destroyed in the Municipal District, and 32 other were damaged. Overall, the total cost of the disaster represents the second largest payout in Canadian insurance history. 

Wildfires are a common occurrence within Canada but we do not completely understand how families and communities recover from such events. We conducted a research study in Slave Lake to find out: (1) the community dealt with the fire, (2) the ways in which families and children dealt with the fire, and (3) the local and regional services that assisted families, children and communities to recover from the wildfire. 

We worked in cooperation with our community partner, an  advisory committee and a research assistant from the community. Our results habe been widely disseminated and are listed               below. 

This project was funded by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR), the Government of Alberta, and the Insitute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction.

Research dissemination:

 Two-page summary of the Slave Lake Project. Families and Children: Responses to Wildfires Links to Community Resiliency

‘Lessons learned’ booklet:

Kulig, J.C., A. Pujadas Botey, I. Townshend, B. Shepard, O. Awosoga, D. Edge, W. Reimer, N. Lightfoot, R. Ross., J. Mellot, B. McFarlane. (2012). The Slave Lake Fires: Lessons Learned. Retrieved from www.ruralwildfire.ca 

Technical reports:

1. Kulig, J., A. Pujadas Botey, I. Townshend, O. Awosoga, B. Shepard, D. Edge, W. Reimer, N. Lightfoot, S. Smolenski (2012). Report of the School Survey: Slave Lake, AB. Lethbridge, AB: University of Lethbridge.
2. Kulig, J., A. Pujadas Botey, I. Townshend, O. Awosoga, B. Shepard, D. Edge, W. Reimer, N. Lightfoot, S. Smolenski (2012). Report of the Household Survey: Slave Lake, AB. Lethbridge, AB: University of Lethbridge.
3. Kulig, J., A. Pujadas Botey, I. Townshend, O. Awosoga, B. Shepard, W. Reimer, D. Edge, N. Lightfoot. (2012). Families and Children: Responses to Wildfires—Links to Community Resiliency. Lethbridge, AB: University of Lethbridge.

Published material:

1. (2012, April). Buned, but not gone. Alberta Views 15 (03): 24. Available online http://magazinescanada.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416215799&o=int&prev=si
2.  (2012, January-February). Dr. Judith Kulig. Alberta Views 15 (01): 12. Available online http://ca.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416202857&o=ext
3. (2011, June). Kulig Study a Blueprint for Recovery. The Legend. University of Lethbridge 10 (10): 9. Avalable online http://issuu.com/ulethbridge/docs/leg061011-all
4. Clarke, E., J. Kulig & A. Pujadas Botey. (2011). Teachers’ guide: Supporting Students After a Wildfire. Lethbridge, AB: University of Lethbridge.
5. Revised Teacher Guide: Supporting Students after a Wildfire (2016).
   

Academic presentations:

1. October 2-4, 2012. Kananaskis, Alberta. Wildland Fire Canada Conference 2012. Canadian Forest Service. 

2. September 28, 2012. Edmonton, Alberta. Presentation of study results at the meeting Rural Linkages: Intercollaborative Practice for Safe & Healthy Commununities . Athabasca University.

3. August 21-27, 2012. Dortmund, Germany. Presentation of study results at the 2012 Annual Meeting: Transformations of the Urban. Urban Geography Commission, International Geographical Union.

4.  April 17-19, 2012. Seattle, United States. Presentation of study results at the 3rd Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference. International Association of Wildland Fire.

Media: 

1. Facing disaster while averting tragedy: Concordia University. February 21, 2013.
2. Slave Lake Wildfire Study Results. CTV Lethbridge. September 24, 2012. 
3. Slave Lake Wildfire Study Results. QR77 (radio). September 22, 2012. 
4. Road to Recovery (The Rebuilding of Slave Lake). CTV2 Alberta Primetime (TV). March 15, 2012.
5. Wildfire brought families, community together. Slave Lake Lakeside Leader (newspaper). March 28, 2012.
6. Update about research in Slave Lake. CBC Radio Edmonton. March 23, 2012.
7. Fire study project needs families. Slave Lake Lakeside Leader (newspaper). November 9, 2011.
8. Arson suspected in Slave Lake fire. 94.1 (radio). November 3, 2011. 
9. Arson allegation won’t affect Slave Lake Study. Lethbridge Herald (newspaper). November 3, 2011.
10. Slave Lake Fire Research with Families. Calgary CBC Homestretch (radio). October 24, 2011. 
11. Slave Lake Fire Research with Families. Edmonton CBC Radio Active. October 21, 2011.
12. University Researchers studying wildfire effects on community. Slave Lake Scope  (newspaper). October 8, 2011. 
13. U of L researchers in town to study fire impact. Slave Lake Lakeside Leader  (newspaper). August 17, 2011.
14. Slave Lake Research. QR77 (radio). August 15, 2011.
15. A study in resiliency. The Lethbridge Herald  (newspaper). August 12, 2011.
16. Report of initial visit to Slave Lake. CTV Lethbridge (also aired in CTV Calgary & Edmonton). August 12, 2011.  
17. Research in Slave Lake. Calgary CBC Eyeopener. August 11, 2011. 
18. Research in Slave Lake. 94.1 (radio). August 11, 2011.
19.  Research being conducted in Slave Lake. CTV Lethbridge. August 5, 2011.
20. Kulig Study a Blueprint for Recovery. The Legend, The University of Lethbridge. June, 2011.
21. Town of Slave Lake Council notebook. Slave Lake Lakeside Leader  (newspaper). June 29, 2011.
22. Are you prepared? The Journal (newspaper). June 9, 2011.
23. Slave Lake Wildfire. CBC Radio, Alberta at Noon. May 19, 2011.
24. Slave Lake Wildfire. QR77  (radio). May 19, 2011.
25. Slave Lake Will Be Stronger After the Fire. Lethbridge Herald  (newspaper). May 18, 2011.
26. Slave Lake Residents Face Grieving Period. Canadian Press. May 17, 2011.
27. Slave Lake Wildfire. CKBN. May 17, 2011.
28. Slave Lake Wildfire. Global TV Lethbridge. May 17, 2011.
29. Slave Lake Wildfire. CBC Edmonton. May 16, 2011.
30. Slave Lake Wildfire. CTV Lethbridge (aired by CTV Calgary & Edmonton). May 16, 2011.
31. Slave Lake Wildfire. City TV. May 16, 2011. 

Public presentations:

1. May 22 – 23, 2013-Edmonton, AB. Pujadas Botey, A & Awosoga, O. Family Resilience: Responses to the Slave Lake Wildfire.  ACCFCR 10^th Anniversary Research Showcase, . 
2. September 21, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB.  Meeting and discussion about final results with the teachers in the E.G. Wahlstrom School.
3. September 21, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB.  Meeting and discussion about final results with staff members of Addictions and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services.
4.  September 21, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB.  Meeting and discussion about final results with the teachers in the C.J. Schurter Elementary School.
5.  September 20, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB.  Meeting and discussion about final results with staff members of the RCMP Slave Lake Detachment.
6.  September 20, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentations of preliminary interview results to community members.
7.  September 20, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB.  Meeting and discussion about final results with the teachers in the Slave Lake Koinonia Christian Schoool. 
8.  September 20, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB. Meeting and discusion about preliminary interview results with community stakeholders.
9.  September 19, 2012 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentation of final results to the Tri-Council.
10.  July 13, 2012 - Edmonton, AB. Presentation/discussion of the study to researchers and public, Child and Youth Data Lab  – Alberta Centre for Child,  Family and Community Research.
11.  May 15, 2012 - Edmonton, AB. Presentation/discussion of the study to researchers and public, Northern Forestry Centre – Canadian Forest Service.
12.  October 19, 2011 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentation of the study to the teachers in the E.G. Wahlstrom Schoool.
13.  August 9, 2011 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentation of the study to Slave Lake community members and town council members.
14.  March 20, 2011 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentation of preliminary interview results to the Rotary Club members.
15.  March 20 and 22, 2011 - Slave Lake, AB. Meetings and discusions about preliminary interview results with community stakeholders.
16.  March 21, 2011 - Slave Lake, AB. Presentation of preliminary interview results to community members.

 

Knowledge Translation Presentations 

“Knowledge Translation is a dynamic and iterative process that includes the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the healthcare system. (http://www.researchnetrecherchenet.ca/rnr16/vwOpprtntyDtls.do?prog=1425&view

=seedlist&org=CIHR&type=AND&resultCount= 25&sort=program&all= 1&masterList

=true&language=E, retrieved April 4, 2012). The following list denotes the groups for whom a presentation or a written synthesis regarding the specific study was done.

 1.     Kulig, J., Townshend, I., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Edge, D., Reimer, W. & Lightfoot, N. Pujadas Botey, A., Ross, R., Mellott, J. McFarlane, B. & Coghlan, A. Families & Children: Responses to Wildfires—Links to Community Resilience

(1) The Human Impacts of Wildfires: What did we Learn from Slave Lake? Ministry of Education and Alberta Health, January 23, 2013

(2)  Slave Lake Wildfires: Lessons for Emergency Management, Emergency/Disaster Services,Alberta Health Services (video link across the province), January 17, 2013

(3) Wildfire Research: Impacts on Children, Families and Communities, Slave Lake Recovery Group within the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, October 19, 2012

(4)  Linking Wildfire Research to Creating Healthy Communities after Disasters, Presentation to 3 Ministries (Human Services, Environment & Sustainable Resource Development & Enterprise and Advanced Education) October 12, 2012

(5)  Families & Children: Responses to Wildfires--Links to Community Resiliency, Two Public and Five Agency Presentations in Slave Lake, September 20 - 21, 2012 (with Anna Pujadas Botey)

(6) Families & Children: Responses to Wildfires--Links to Community Resiliency Tri-council Meeting, Slave Lake Alberta September 19, 2012 (with Anna Pujadas Botey)

(7) Interview Results, Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child Data Lab, July 13, 2012 (with Anna Pujadas Botey)

(8) Preliminary Interview Results, 3 agency and 2 public presentations, Slave Lake AB, March20-22,2012 (with Anna Puadas Botey)

Invited Presentations

1. Kulig, J., on behalf of the Rural Wildfire Study Group[i]. (November 19, 2012) Slave Lake: Understanding the Impacts and Resiliency after Wildfires. Alberta Emergency Management Agency Summit, Edmonton, AB.

2. Kulig, J., on behalf of the Rural Wildfire Study Group. (October 20, 2012). How do Wildfires impact Families, Children & communities: Slave Lake as a Case Example. Senate, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB.

3. Kulig, J., (October 11, 2012). Preparing for the Next Disaster: Experiences from Slave Lake. Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs. Lethbridge, AB.

 Contributed

Peer Reviewed

1. Edge, D., Kulig, J., Pujadas Botey, A., Townshend, I., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Reimer, W., Lightfoot, N., Ross, R., Mellott, J., McFarlane, B., Coghlan, A. (2012). Dealing with Wildfires: Understanding Community Resiliency in Slave Lake, Alberta. Rural and Remote Health Research: Creative Approaches. Canadian Rural Health Research Society 11^th Annual Meeting, October 25 – 27, 2012, Levis, Quebec.

2.  Kulig, J., Pujadas Botey, A., Townshend, I., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Edge, D., Reimer, W., Lightfoot, N., Ross, R., Mellott, J. McFarlane, B. & Coghlan, A., (2012). The Impacts of a Wildfire on Families and Children: Reporting on Slave Lake. Wildland Fire Canada Conference 2012, October 2 – 4, 2012, Kananaskis, Alberta.

3.  Kulig, J., Pujadas Botey, A., Townshend, I. Awosoga, O., Shepard, B., Edge, D., Reimer, W., Lightfoot, N. (2012) Creating Healthy Communities After Disasters: Basing our Practice on Wildfire Research. Rural Linkages: Intercollaborative Practice for Safe and Healthy Communities. September, 28, 2012, Edmonton, AB.

4.   Townshend, I., Kulig, J., Reimer, W., Edge, D., Lightfoot, N. Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Pujadas Botey, A., (2012). Children and Natural Disasters: Psychological Impacts and Barriers to Resilience. Urban Geography Commission, International Geographic Union. 2012 Annual Meeting, August 21 – 27, 2012, Dortmund, Germany.

5. Kulig, J., Pujadas Botey, A., Townshend, I., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O.,  Edge, D., Reimer, W., Lightfoot, N., Ross, R., Mellott, J. McFarlane, B. & Coghlan, A. (2012). What’s Next for Slave Lake, Alberta? Coming to Terms & Moving On from a Devastating Wildfire. The 3^rd Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, April 16 – 19, 2012, Seattle, WA.

6.  Townshend, I., Kulig, J., Reimer, W., Edge, D., Lightfoot, N., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Pujadas Botey, A., (2012). Social Factors in Resilience: Some Lessons Learned from Recent Wildfire Events. Western Division, Canadian Association of Geographers, 54^th Annual Meeting, March 10 - 12, 2012, Kelowna, BC.

[i] Kulig, J., Pujadas Botey, A., Townshend, I., Shepard, B., Awosoga, O., Edge, D., Reimer, W., Lightfoot, N., Ross, R., Mellott, J. McFarlane, B. & Coghlan, A.

For more information about Slave Lake

Town of Slave Lake 

Town of Slave Lake – Slave Lake Recovery  

Municipal District of Lesser Slave Lake River No. 124

Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council

 92.7 Lake FM Slave Lake   

Rebuilt Slave Lake – Helping Residents after the Wildfire 

Government of Alberta - Wildfire Support    

Lesser Slave Lake: Regional Wildfire Recovery Plan, 2011

AUPE - Loss and Hope (SlaveLakeFilm.com September 2011)

The Lakeside Leader  Some notes of interest are:

Evacuation (May 2011)

The aftermath: consequences of the fire (newspapers of May 25 and June 1 2011, find them in archives)

Arson: likely cause of the fire (Nov 2011)

Grief and trauma by Dr. Simington (Dec 2011)

Review of 2011 (Jan 2012)

A heartfelt thank you is expressed to the elected officials and residents of the Town of Slave Lake, the communities of the MD of Lesser Slave River #124, and the Sawridge First Nation for their support of our Slave Lake wildfires study.

It was a privilege to be in your community!

We have learned so much about your recovery from the wildfires that can be used in other areas.

The final reports and information is posted on this website; we hope that you will access them and use the information to inform others about your communities.

All best wishes for your future!