Alberta First Nation mourns firefighter who died battling Ontario forest fires

A First Nation community in northernAlberta is mourning the loss of firefighter Jerry Gadwa,who died Thursday while helping to fightforest fires in Ontario.

"There's obviously a lot of shock because a lot of people got along good with him," said KehewinCree NationCoun. William John,Gadwa'snephewby marriage.

"In our community, we have a lot ofpeople that enjoy...humour, a lot of sharinglaughs," John said. "Jerry was just as much a part of that as anybody else."

• Alberta firefighter dies fighting Ontario forest fires

John, whose wife is Gadwa's niece, learned ofGadwa's death Thursday night.

For the past 20years,Gadwahas spent his summers fighting wildfires across the province and country, John said.

"It's just something, once you have a knack for it, you keep going with it," John said.

Gadwa, who was working as a forestry firefighter with a company that recruits firefighters from local First Nations, died while supporting fire suppression efforts in Red Lake, Ont., near the border with Manitoba.

Hard-working,good father

Gadwa,in his late 40s, lived on the Kehewin Cree Nation reserve,approximately 225 kilometres northeast of EdmontonnearBonnyville, with his 10-year-old son, John said.

"His primary motivation was to makesure hisboy had everything he needed," said John, whose wife is Gadwa's niece.

"She often spoke of Jerry telling her he wanted to make sure he was taken care of."

Gadwa'sson had been staying withGadwa'ssister in Cold Lake while his father was firefighting, John said.

John said Gadwawas known in the community for his work ethic.

"He didn't like to sit around," John said."He was very driven."

High school memories

John, who is also in his 40s, hasmemories of Gadwagoingback to their high school days.

Even back then, Gadwawas very disciplined, John said.

"Jerry would put on his muscle T-shirt and I remember some of the boys fromBonnyvillecoming up to me and asking, 'Who is this guy?'

"They were impressed by his physique."

Gadwabegan training as a firefighter when he was still very young, John said, noting Gadwa's career path motivated him to keep fit.

John said he's heard his uncle by marriage may have been suffering from a health issue.

"If he was a little bit ill, perhaps he shouldn't have been out there," John said.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour and police are investigating the cause of Gadwa's death, with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Firefighting community grieving

On Saturday, BrianMcEvoy, regional fire chief withBonnyvilleRegional Fire Authority, said the news of Gadwa'sdeath is reverberating through the local firefighting community.

"Emergency services are very close-knit groups of people," he said. "When one has a loss, we all share it. This one we share a little bit more because it's closer to home."

BonnyvilleandKehewinvolunteer fire departments often worked together on fires in the area, McEvoy said.

Premier RachelNotleyFridayofferedcondolences.

"We are one country and we look out for one another. Mr.Gadwaand his fellow firefighters were in Ontario fighting to defend the well-being of their fellow Canadians,"Notleysaid in a statement.

"The sacrifice they and their families make is extraordinary and is felt heavily in hearts throughout Alberta and across Canada."

There are currently more than 200 Alberta firefighter deployed in other provinces, with the majority in Ontario.