Family says they warned province about wildfire threat to East Trout Lake, but were ignored

A Saskatchewan family is demanding accountability from the provincial government after a wildfire destroyed their home — along with family heirlooms and the ashes of their loved ones — in East Trout Lake.

Doug Swiderski has lived at East Trout Lake, about 250 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, for 55 years. His parents purchased a cabin that was then rebuilt as their retirement home. After they died, their ashes were kept there — just as they had requested. Now the cabin, and everything inside, is gone.

"We would have done anything to save it," Doug said. "We were more than willing to go in. I have fought fires up there before."

Doug and his son Nick say they repeatedly warned officials about the approaching wildfire, but were brushed off in the days before it tore through their home and community. They shared their story at an Opposition NDP news conference Tuesday in Saskatoon, alongside Saskatchewan NDP MLA Jordan McPhail.

"We were told we were in no immediate danger, but we knew the fire was fast approaching," Nick said. "We felt completely helpless and that no help was given to us, and our community was left to burn."

"It just seems that nobody was really listening," Doug said.

WATCH | Wildfire evacuee shares haunting images of East Trout Lake region: 

'Every structure had burned to the ground': wildfire evacuee shares haunting images of East Trout Lake region

23 days ago

Duration 2:02

Nathan Pitka drove to East Trout Lake, Sask., on May 31 to assess the damages to his property. He shared dash cam video footage that documented the devastation caused by the wildfire that swept through the region from May 26 to 28.

In a written statement, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said it "recognizes the impact that the Shoe fire has had on residents of East Trout Lake and other devastated communities."

"All six of the fires of note at the time received multiple levels of response," the statement read, "ranging from wildland firefighting crews to air tankers, heavy equipment, helicopter support, contract resources and/or municipal or volunteer fire departments."

The SPSA also said it has created a recovery task team to help people and communities begin rebuilding. The team includes representatives from various provincial ministries.

"We know that there are some losses that are irreplaceable," the statement said.

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a full audit of the province's wildfire response and the readiness of its firefighting fleet.

Doug Swiderski said he has yet to receive provincial disaster relief, and that navigating insurance and paperwork has been confusing and slow.

"I can stand here now and tell you I know nothing more today than when the place burned," he said. "That was my permanent home."