CLFN man arrested for arson & disregard for human life

A Cold Lake First Nations man has been arrested and charged for intentionally setting fires last week that led to an evacuation.

On May 5^th, 2023, the Cold lake RCMP responded to a call for assistance for a wildfire located at Township Road 614 and Range Road 421 on Cold Lake First Nations.

Fire crews from Cold Lake First Nations and the City of Cold Lake extinguished a small brush fire which had burned the ditch area in close proximity to an occupied residence.

While on scene a second fire was located approximately 1 kilometer south of the initial reported fire. The second fire quickly became out of control which resulted in the evacuations of over 50 residences on Cold Lake First Nations.

The fire caused extensive property damage however no residences were lost in the blaze. Several square kilometers of forest and farmland were burned as a result. Witness’s on scene informed police that the fires were intentionally set.

Police identified and arrested 23-year-old William Edward Jacknife of Cold Lake First Nations at the fire scene.

Jacknife has been charged with arson-disregard for human life and was brought before a Justice of the Peace for a bail hearing.  Jacknife was remanded into custody.  Next court date is May 24^th, 2023.