Redwater RCMP have arrested a man accused of sabotaging firefighting efforts by deactivating sprinkler systems set up to protect homes from wildfires.
The incident occurred on May 8, when officers patrolling the evacuation zone noticed a male trespassing in the area. Police discovered the suspect tampering with sprinklers installed by firefighters, rendering them useless. The man was arrested, and charges are pending approval from prosecutors.
Staff Sergeant Michael Jaszczyszyn, District Advisory NCO for Eastern Alberta District, condemned the act, warning that authorities will not tolerate interference with wildfire defenses.
“We want to send a clear message to those who have evacuated as well as to those who enter evacuation zones to cause harm” said S/Sgt. Michael Jaszczyszyn, District Advisory NCO for Eastern Alberta District. “We are patrolling evacuation areas to ensure the safety of the communities and will continue to apprehend, arrest and charge all those who commit criminal activities within those zones, especially those than can facilitate the spread of wildfires.”
Suspects charged in other recent arson incidents
Whitecourt arson incidents
On May 6, 2025, Whitecourt RCMP located a man who started a fire in the area East of Hilltop Industrial Park.
Police investigated two fires. The first fire occurred on April 17, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m.. The second was on April 25, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m. Both fires occurred in the same general area, in the Town of Whitecourt limits, east of the industrial park, specifically south of 41 Avenue and east of 30 Street.
The fire was safely put out and the man was arrested and will be charged with provincial statutes.
Sherwood Park arson incidents
On March 21, 2025 at approximately 8:29 p.m., Strathcona County RCMP with the assistance of Strathcona County Emergency Services, responded to a report of a shopping cart full of contents on fire in the parking lot at 198 Ordze Ave. in Sherwood Park. Officers attended the area and made patrols. No suspects were located.
On March 25, 2025, at approximately 8:12 p.m., Strathcona County RCMP responded to a report of a fire in a dumpster at 2020 Sherwood Drive in Sherwood Park. Officers attended the area and made patrols. No suspects were located.
On March 28, 2025, at approximately 5:09 p.m., Strathcona County RCMP responded to a report of a fire on a bus bench at 15 Main Boulevard. Officers attended the area, located and arrested the suspect. Nelsena Lee Badarm, 50, of no fixed addres, was charged with three counts of arson.
Strathcona County arson incident
On March 21, 2025 at 10:25 p.m., Strathcona County RCMP along with the assistance of the Strathcona County Emergency Services responded to fire near the intersection of Athabascan Ave and Broadmoor Blvd in Sherwood Park. Upon arrival members observed the Sam Steele memorial statue on fire.
The statue was destroyed as a result of the fire. Police located the suspect in the area shortly after and was arrested without incident. Sebastian Reddeman 23-year-old resident of Sherwood Park was charged with arson and failing to comply with an undertaking.
Chipewyan Prairie First Nation arsons
On April 15, 2025, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Wood Buffalo RCMP and Regional Emergency Services responded to a call for a grass and residential fire at Lot 159 on Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier). Upon arrival at the residence, it was fully engulfed in flames.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspect pouring fluid around the property and lighting the fire. The suspect was still on the scene when RCMP arrived and was arrested without incident. There was no one else in the residence at the time of the fire and no reported injuries.
Brian Cardinal, a 54-year-old resident of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier), Alberta, was charged with arson.
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