Residents in Mayerthorpe are coming together after a string of suspicious fires have many in the community on edge.
“The residents are just swarming my house with phone calls and rightfully so, they are concerned,” town mayor Kate Patrick told CTV News.
Crews responded to four blazes Friday morning - all being investigated as suspicious. Now, residents are keeping an eye out for the person or persons allegedly responsible.
“There is a greater concern in the community and citizens were looking for a way to help,” said concerned resident LaDonna Harris.
About a dozen people have signed up to join a neighbourhood watch program.
“We’ll be sending out groups of two or more to patrol specific areas […] that will be decided in working with the RCMP,” Harris pointed out.
Officials said nearly a dozen fires have been set in and around the Mayerthorpe area over the last two weeks.
On April 26, the historic CN trestle bridge near the town was destroyed - a blaze now considered suspicious.
Extra officers have also been brought in to help with the investigation.
“It’s tireless. They’ve had so many fires it’s unreal,” said Patrick.
With most fires happening near major buildings and homes, the goal for officials is also to prevent blazes from spreading.
“The fact is that we haven’t received enough moisture this year and it wouldn’t take much to get these out of control,” explained RCMP Cpl. Sharon Franks.
The town of Mayerthorpe is located about 120 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith
