Police have identified and arrested 23-year-old William Edward Jacknife in relation to a wildfire that lead to evacuations in the area last week.
Cold Lake RCMP was called to respond on May 5th to a fire located at Township Road 614 and Range Road 421 on Cold Lake First Nations. While on scene a second fire was located approximately 1 kilometer south of the initial reported fire which quickly got out of control and resulted in the evacuations of over 50 residences on Cold Lake First Nations.
Lots of damage was sustained to property and several square kilometers of forest and farmland were burned but no residences were lost in the blaze. RCMP had witnesses on the scene inform police the fires were intentionally set.
Police identified and arrested 23-year-old William Edward JACKNIFE of Cold Lake First Nations at the fire scene and charged them with arson-disregard for human life. JACKNIFE was remanded into custody and brought before a Justice of the Peace for a bail hearing.
The Court date is set for May 24th, 2023.
