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The 2017 CFB Suffield Fire: Devastating Impact on Bindloss, Alberta

The rural hamlet of Bindloss, Alberta experienced devastating consequences when a fire that originated at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield spread to surrounding farms and ranches on September 11, 2017. This event dramatically altered the landscape, livelihoods, and community relations in this southeastern Alberta region, leaving lasting impacts that extended far beyond the immediate destruction. The fire initiated at the military base during the detonation of unexploded ordnance has become emblematic of ongoing tensions between rural communities and military installations in the area, while highlighting the vulnerabilities of agricultural operations to environmental disasters.

Origin and Spread of the Fire

On September 11, 2017, military personnel at CFB Suffield detonated an unexploded artillery shell as part of routine disposal operations, despite a fire ban being in effect across southern Alberta. The temperature that day was at least 32°C with moderate westerly winds, creating dangerous fire conditions12. The controlled detonation sparked a grass fire that quickly grew beyond the military's capacity to contain it.

Creston Anderson, the fire chief for Bindloss at the time, reported that the fire began around 6:00 p.m., with flames originating inside CFB Suffield's boundaries. Anderson was dispatched to monitor the situation at the fence line between the base and surrounding properties. As conditions worsened, gusting winds carried the flames over the perimeter fence, after which the fire began spreading eastward toward farms and ranches in the Bindloss area4.

The speed and ferocity with which the fire spread overwhelmed initial containment efforts. Daryl Swenson, one of the affected ranchers, described watching the fire come increasingly closer from the base perimeter, but noted that civilian fire crews were not permitted to enter the base to fight the flames at their source1. As the blaze intensified, it expanded dramatically, ultimately burning approximately 36,500 hectares—nearly half the size of Calgary—including about 6,500 hectares of land outside the military training area12. The fire's path cut across the landscape from Jenner to Highway 41, moving first northward and then southward9.

Immediate Impacts on the Community

The fire forced an immediate evacuation of more than 40 residents from the affected area. A state of emergency was declared as more than 20 fire trucks, 10 water trucks, and other heavy equipment battled the flames with assistance from volunteers8. Five farms in the region required evacuation as the fire front advanced8. The mandatory evacuation order for residences east of Range Road 23 and south of Highway 555 was eventually lifted at 9:00 a.m. on September 12, though firefighting efforts continued9.

The fire's destruction was extensive and heartbreaking. At least one home in the area was confirmed destroyed—a residence approximately 13 miles south of Bindloss. The elderly homeowner had been asleep when the fire approached and had to be evacuated by neighbors who broke down his door when he didn't hear their knocking24. The flames not only consumed his home but also the surrounding farmyard, outbuildings, and personal vehicles4.

Beyond structures, the fire devastated agricultural land vital to local ranching operations. Laurel Schlaht, who owns a farm with her husband, reported losing "six quarter-acres of winter fields," critical grazing land that served as "the backbone to our operations"1. Daryl Swenson lost more than 500 hectares of grass and cropland, as well as winter feed for his animals and miles of fence line812.

Livestock Losses and Animal Suffering

Perhaps the most emotionally traumatic aspect of the disaster was the fate of cattle caught in the fire's path. In total, approximately 160 head of cattle were killed or so severely injured they required euthanasia1 1112. Ivan Schlaht, who lost 98 cattle in the blaze, described the aftermath as "the grossest thing I have ever seen" and "the most horrific scene ever"812.

The day after the fire, about 20 cattle were still alive but suffering terribly from their burns. The animals' injuries were so severe that a friend of Schlaht's had to put them down12. The psychological impact on ranchers who discovered their burned animals was profound, with Ivan Schlaht stating, "I don't wish that on anyone"1. The emotional toll extended beyond financial loss, with Schlaht noting, "A million dollars still wouldn't cover what I lost because of the anguish the cattle and myself went through"12.

For families with children, the fire created particularly traumatic experiences. Laurie Campbell described having to wake her children at midnight to evacuate, with her nine-year-old searching for a favorite toy while her five-year-old worried whether their father would survive the fire1. This psychological impact on the younger generation raised concerns about the future of family farming in the region.

Long-Term Agricultural and Economic Consequences

The fire's impact on agricultural operations extended far beyond the immediate destruction. Ranchers estimated it would take three to five years for the burned grasslands to recover sufficiently to support cattle grazing again113. As Laurel Schlaht explained, "Basically, it's going to be out of commission for three to five years," referring to the winterfield grassland destroyed by the flames13. This extended recovery period created significant operational challenges for the affected ranchers.

The financial burden was substantial. Daryl Swenson reported having to borrow at least $60,000 to replant grass and replenish feed stocks for his livestock12. The fire scorched approximately 4,200 hectares on the Remount community pasture, part of the rural municipality known as Special Areas12. This communal grazing land was a valuable resource for multiple ranching operations in the region.

Months after the fire, affected ranchers and farmers were still awaiting compensation for their losses712. The compensation process became contentious, with ranchers expressing frustration about delays and perceived bureaucratic obstacles. By September 2018, a full year after the incident, residents were reporting that the compensation process appeared to be stalled, with CFB Suffield seemingly "out of the loop" despite earlier promises of fair compensation7.

Military Response and Community Relations

The fire exacerbated long-standing tensions between local residents and CFB Suffield. Initially, military officials were hesitant to definitively link the fire on the base with the destruction of civilian property. Major Hugh Atwell, acting commander of the base at the time, stated he couldn't "conclusively state" that the two fires were connected, though he acknowledged they "absolutely know that we had a fire that started as a result of a military operation"8.

As evidence mounted, Lt.-Col. Michael Onieu, the base commander, eventually accepted responsibility, stating "there is no denying the military is responsible" for the grass fire5. Onieu ordered an extensive investigation, to be conducted by a third party with testimony given under oath, though he advised residents to seek damages through their insurance agencies while awaiting the outcome of this lengthy process13.

The incident revealed a pattern of concerns about CFB Suffield's fire management practices. Local residents described living "on pins and needles" whenever they spotted smoke coming from the base1. Bindloss Mayor Daryl Swenson stated bluntly at a community meeting: "Things have got to change. Somebody is going to die"1. Jack Stelter, another local resident, expressed the community's frustration by saying, "They tell us they want to be our friends and our neighbours... They're not really good friends… and they're bad neighbours"1.

Community members noted that fires originating from the base had been a recurring problem for years. Daryl Swenson commented, "This has been going on for years and years — them letting the grass burn out there, out of control, not letting us to go in there to stop it before it gets serious"8. The military explained that civilians were not permitted to enter the training area due to an "extraordinary level of risk," though this policy contributed to local frustration8.

Changes and Lessons Learned

In January 2018, approximately four months after the fire, CFB Suffield announced it was implementing several changes in response to the incident11. While the specific nature of these changes wasn't detailed in the search results, the announcement acknowledged the significant damage caused by the fire, including the destruction of a farm, death of 160 cattle, and loss of crops, feed, and pasture11.

The fire underscored the dangerous intersection of military training activities, climate conditions, and agricultural operations. When questioned about why the military would detonate artillery during a fire ban, Lt.-Col. Onieu explained the complexities of the base's operations, which include not only military training but also oil and gas operations (12,000 oil wells), grazing cattle, and a defence research establishment. He noted that unexploded ordnance poses "a very fatal threat to people," necessitating disposal even during challenging conditions5.

Laurel Schlaht identified a fundamental disconnect in the relationship, stating: "They don't seem to understand that we as ranchers and farmers, we have to make a livelihood and we have to care for the land because we need it next year"13. This statement encapsulates the different timeframes and priorities that often create tension between military operations and agricultural communities.

Conclusion

The 2017 CFB Suffield fire had profound and lasting impacts on Bindloss and surrounding communities. Beyond the immediate destruction of property and tragic loss of livestock, the fire created significant economic challenges for local agricultural operations, with multi-year recovery timelines for damaged grasslands. The psychological and emotional toll on residents—particularly those who lost homes, witnessed suffering animals, or evacuated children during the night—cannot be overstated.

The incident strained already tense relations between the military base and local residents, though it also prompted operational changes at CFB Suffield that may reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future. For the people of Bindloss, the fire represented not just a singular disaster but part of a pattern of concerns about living adjacent to a major military training facility. The experience highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities to both natural and human-caused disasters, while demonstrating the resilience required to rebuild in their aftermath.

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