From forgiveness to the need for healing
Mixed reactions to charges being laid in Barrington Lake wildfire
There were mixed emotions in Shelburne County when the news broke on Jan. 18 that a 22-year-old Villagedale man is facing three charges under the provincial Forests Act in relation to last spring’s Barrington Lake wildfire.
“It’s been a long drawn out process for our residents, longer than some people wanted but things have proceeded, charges have been laid. There’s no convictions yet, it’s going to go to court, the process will unfold,” said Eddie Nickerson, Warden for the Municipality of Barrington.
“The public’s been waiting a long time to see some progress on it. Whether it’s the progress they wanted to see, or if the outcome is what they want it to be, is still within the courts," Nickerson said. "Hopefully, it gets settled and we can move on. It’s just something we need to put past us and hopefully this leads us in that direction."
Others echoed similar sentiments. “I hope this gives the peace to those who need it in order to start to move forward and heal as a community,” said Amy MacKinnon, executive director of Our House Youth Wellness Centre, who with this organization was instrumental in providing community support for wildfire victims.
“The public’s been waiting a long time to see some progress on it. Whether it’s the progress they wanted to see, or if the outcome is what they want it to be, is still within the courts. Hopefully, it gets settled and we can move on.” Eddie Nickerson Warden
‘STRONG FEELINGS’
For Pamela Townsend, who lost her Clyde River home in the wildfire with her partner Ian Atwood, she said the news “brings back such strong feelings."
"My most vivid memory is sitting on our front lawn in lawn chairs surrounded by nothing but ashes. Years of hard work gone to someone’s immaturity," Townsend said. "I felt such anger and loss. Mostly for all the memorable objects lost like my dad’s ashes, my Nan’s charm bracelet, my kids’ schoolwork, and Ian’s grandfather’s old carpentry tools. Things insurance can never replace."
“But when the Clyde Road opened up, Ian plopped his lawn chair and a cooler on our empty front lawn for days. I joined him. He was broken. Defeated. People kept stopping to talk by the dozens. He started to smile and nod and talk. I can't thank everyone that stopped in enough for that,” she said.
“We were surrounded by nothing but ashes and the smell of burnt, dead forest, but we were also surrounded by love and support,” Townsend added. “I choose from that moment on to forgive them all. I choose not to let anger, disappointment, or heartache be my story.”
She said she hopes those reponsible for the fire learn a very hard lesson, but also that they forgive themselves.
WILDFIRE IMPACTS CONTINUE
The reaction to the charges has left many thinking about those who were impacted by the wildfire.
“The Barrington Lake Wildfire of 2023 was a catastrophic and difficult event that profoundly affected the Shelburne and Barrington communities. We will be closely monitoring the justice process in the hope that it brings some form of closure to the victims of the fire,” said Shelburne Municipal Warden Penny Smith and Warden Eddie Nickerson in a joint statement.
“Our community suffered significant losses because of this unprecedented wildfire, and we are still recovering from its impacts. The people of Shelburne and Barrington have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Community members have come together to support each other in rebuilding efforts, and we will continue to support one another as we move forward,” they said.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the countless emergency responders and officials who assisted during the wildfire and helped ensure no loss of lives during this unprecedented situation.”
THE CHARGES
Dalton Clark Stewart, 22, of Villagedale, Shelburne County, has been charged by the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Renewables with lighting a fire on privately owned land without permission of the owner or occupier; with failing to take reasonable efforts to prevent the spread of a fire; and with leaving a fire unattended.
He is scheduled to appear in Shelburne Provincial Court on March 7.
Under the Forests Act, the department has two years from the date of an alleged offence to lay charges. Charges are only laid if the department, in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, believes there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.
People convicted of violations of the Forests Act can be fined up to $50,000 and/or face up to six months in jail.
The RCMP also investigated the blaze. RCMP Provincial Public Information Officer Constable Dominic Laflamme said the Shelburne District RCMP initiated an in-depth criminal investigation of the Barrington Lake wildfire, completing many investigative tasks.
“In consultation with the Public Prosecution Office, it was determined that the information and evidence gathered from the scene did not meet the threshold for criminal charges, concluding our file,” he said. “Investigators provided their findings to DNRR, as the lead, to advance their investigation.”
LARGEST WILDFIRE IN N.S. HISTORY
The Barrington Lake wildfire began on May 26, 2023, and burned 23,379 hectares. It was declared under control on
June 13 and considered fully extinguished on July 26.
The fire destroyed 20 primary homes, six secondary homes, and damaged another 56 in the Municipality of Shelburne.
In the Municipality of Barrington, 34 properties were destroyed, of which 18 were primary residences.
If someone is determined to be responsible for the fire, many hope they will be held accountable by the court.
“That individual created a lot of damage and hurt a lot of people's lives,” said provincial Liberal Leader and Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill. “I certainly hope justice is on the way.”