RCMP have not shared details about extent of damage of fire at Alberta's Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Courtesy/Fort Saskatchewan RCMP

By Jayk Sterkenburg

PROVINCE

Grass fire spreads to, damages Alberta’s Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village

Apr 20, 2025 | 9:59 AM

RCMP said Friday a grass fire that closed a northern section of the Trans-Canada Highway in Alberta that had spread to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village near Edmonton closed the village for the season.

Mounties said in a statement that the fire had spread to structures inside the village, which features 40 restored buildings commemorating the settlement of east central Alberta by Ukrainians.

Tanya Fir, minister of arts, culture and status of women, and Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, parliamentary secretary for Ukrainian evacuees, said the buildings housed irreplacable artifacts.

“While we are incredibly grateful to the first responders whose swift response saved the historical buildings on site, we are saddened to confirm that the Visitor Centre buildings were lost,” they said in a joint statement Saturday.

Fir and Armstrong-Homeniuk said the village’s buildings included exhibit spaces that told the stories of generations of Ukrainian Albertans.

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“This is a profound loss- not only for the Ukrainian community, but for all Albertans who value and honour our province’s diverse cultural heritage,” they said.

“To the community that holds this place close to heart, please know that we share in your grief, and we recognize the cultural importance of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village to the Ukrainian Albertan community and all Albertans.”

Fir and Armstrong-Homeniuk said more information will be provided as it becomes available in the coming weeks.

Alberta’s government said it is committed to reopening the site when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

RCMP have not shared any details about the extent of damage inside the village.

The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village Society was founded in 1971, and it bought the site and began relocating buildings there from farms and towns of east central Alberta.

The province acquired it in 1975, and it says the buildings there have been restored and furnished to their early 20th century appearance.

Officials with Alberta Wildfire say the wildfire risk in a number of forest management areas has been elevated due to warmer temperatures and wind.

With files from the Canadian Press.

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