Kátł’odeeche couple recovering from wildfire ‘one day at a time’

‘It wasn’t the same reserve that I had seen on the 13th of May’

James and Carol Dixon’s home is now “nothing but a pile of ashes.”

The pair live on the Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN) reserve and their home is one of an estimated 18 buildings that were lost in a wildfire that swept through the community.

“Nobody expected part of the reserve to burn down and lose everything,” said James.

The Dixons evacuated to Yellowknife along with many residents on May 14, where they spent weeks waiting to go home and see the destruction left by the fire.

On Tuesday, after three and a half weeks of waiting, KFN Chief April Martel said residents could return to the community near Hay River, N.W.T.

“It wasn’t the same reserve that I had seen on the 13th of May,” said Carol.

She added that many of the homes that were lost belonged to elders in the community.

Like many others, this is the second year in a row that the Dixons had to leave their home due to disaster. Their house was flooded last spring.

“You can get over water but you could never get over fire,” said Carol. “Fire can go anywhere as it can take anything it wants to take.”

The pair remembered to take some sentimental belongings with them when they evacuated, including family photos and a blanket with pictures of their grandchildren. Still, they left behind many mementos as they were only expecting to be gone for a few days.

James says they appreciate the help they received while in Yellowknife, from food to mental health support. They also had a room lined up for them at the North Country Inn when they went back to Hay River this week.