More than seven months after a devastating wildfire destroyed hundreds of structures in the Town of Slave Lake, police now say they are seeking the public's help in locating six individuals who were on Highway 2 the day before the wildfire tore through the town.
Investigators believe these people may have information that could assist them in the investigation.
The RCMP stresses they do not consider these individuals to be suspects in any criminal act, but want to speak with the individuals who may have been on the highway outside the town on the afternoon of May 14, 2011.
The public is asked to call their local RCMP detachment or Crime stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they have information that might help identify the following individuals:
• Two men observed driving ATVs, 15 kilometres east of Slave Lake on the north side of Highway 2 at about 4:30 p.m. on May 14, 2011. Both ATVs were described as Hondas, one red, and one yellow. One of the ATV's had a weathered set of moose antlers attached to its front cargo rack.
• Anyone associated with a green Dodge Neon parked on the side of Highway 2, but closer to the Town of Slave Lake, at about 4:30 p.m. on May 14, 2011. This could be the same individual who was observed at the same time near the car, standing in the ditch close to the tree line.
• Anyone associated with an older (1999-2004) white Ford pick-up truck observed in the vicinity of the Flat Top Observation Tower, late in the afternoon of May 14, 2011. The truck is believed to be the same one that was observed farther east on Highway 2, later that day.
• Two people, possibly one male and female, who flagged down members of the local Fire Department in order to alert them to the location of some burning brush east of the weigh scale on Highway 2. These individuals may have been in or near a white car.
Back in Nov., officials said their wildfire investigation determined arson as the likely cause.
Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) Minister Frank Oberle told media their investigation into the cause of the fire ruled out everything but arson as a probable cause.
The 4,700-hectare fire began on May 14th, and caused 7,000 Slave Lake and area residents to be evacuated. The blaze eventually destroyed about 400 structures, mostly homes.
