By Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader At the end of May, a wildfire burnt 48 per cent of the primary residences in Chipewyan Lake, a hamlet 4.5 hours north of the nearest community in the boreal forest. Starting September 5, residents whose homes were in the unaffected area were allowed to return home, but the M.D. of Opportunity didn’t lift the evacuation order until Sept. 15. Council waited for a regular meeting, says M.D. Reeve Marcel Auger. Also, the residents had a lot of mental distress about returning, because only half of the residents could return at this time and there are so many trees burnt. It also took a bit longer than expected to get the homes ready. The community had 50 primary residences, with people…
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