Looting will be punished, warns First Nation chief after wildfire evacuation in Alberta hamlet

The chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation says people caught looting evacuated homes and businesses in the northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan will be banished.

In a video update posted Wednesday evening, Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro said he had received reports of potential looting in the hamlet, which remains under evacuation due to a out-of control wildfire burning nearby.

Anyone caught stealing from evacuees will be punished, Tucarro warned. 

"If anybody is looting in regards to our property, you will lose all privileges in regards to Mikisew properties. I'm not kidding," Tuccaro said in a video posted to Facebook Wednesday.

"If you are seen looting, the RCMP will be notified and you will be taken into custody and removed from the community. And like I said, you will be banned from my reserves."

Residents of the remote northeastern hamlet, 300 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, were told to leave Tuesday as a wildfire inched closer close to the community.

Alberta Wildfire information unit manager Christie Tucker said Thursday afternoon that the fire, which has already destroyed an estimated 8,600 hectares, was burning about 10 kilometres from Fort Chipewyan.

Tuccaro said band leadership will increase street patrols, adding that he would personally drive through the evacuation zone each night to watch for signs of criminal activity. 

"This is not a time to be screwing around," Tuccaro said. "If you stayed back as an evacuee, we expect you to conduct yourself in an orderly fashion and not create any potential hazards.

"We need all resources right now to be concentrating on the fire." 

Alberta RCMP say they have received no reports of property crime in the evacuation zone but continue to patrol the streets 24 hours a day.

RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said there are eight dedicated officers in the community, double the number that would normally be in Fort Chip — and police remain confident in their ability to protect evacuated neighbourhoods. 

Looting has been a concern in communities across Alberta this wildfire season and RCMP have been tasked with patrolling evacuation zones to prevent trespassing and theft.

Savinkoff said widespread property crime has not been an issue during the wildfire emergency but securing evacuation zones is a priority for RCMP.