A family that operates a ranch in Bindloss, Alta. says it could be five years before they can winter their cattle on land destroyed in a grass fire that may have spread from a fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield.

Farmers say CFB Suffield should have waited for rain before detonating an ordnance and added the military should be responsible for replacing all losses in the community, including cattle bales, potential vet bills related to the calves.

A massive grass fire that prompted a local state of emergency and evacuations north of Oyen, Alta. on Monday night may have been sparked by the military blowing up an unexploded ordnance, a Canadian Forces commanders acknowledged on Tuesday.