(Government of Alberta)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Level 4

Alberta declares state of emergency in response to wildfire situation

May 6, 2023 | 6:55 PM

At 5 p.m. Saturday, Premier Danielle Smith announced that Alberta has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfire situation.

Declaring a state of emergency is a legal mechanism, Smith explained, which provides the provincial government with a higher level of intergovernmental coordination, around the clock monitoring of the situation, access to emergency discretionary funds, the ability to mobilize additional supports and continue working with municipalities, organizations and businesses to support evacuated residents.

“Under the Emergency Management Act, the declaration gives the government greater powers to respond to extreme situations.”

“For example, the province can access emergency funds, mobilize additional supports, and continue to work with municipalities, organizations and businesses to support affected residents.”

Smith added that, “This is not a step we took lightly, but it’s one that will allow the quickest and most effective response.”

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Smith said, “In addition, the provincial emergency coordination centre where Alberta’s response is organized from has moved up from level three to level four. This measure allows for more comprehensive response to extraordinary events. It also ensures the centre is fully staffed and our partners across borders are notified.”

Among many other things, officials noted that cooler weather over the next few days could offer fire fighters a reprieve. As well, assistance from Ontario and Quebec is already in the province, with additional help expected from elsewhere, possibly including the U.S.

Moving to level four also means mandatory full government of Alberta coordination, which is anticipated to boost emergency response efforts.

It was further noted that it is not only illegal to use drones to capture fire footage, but that it’s also highly dangerous for aircraft fighting fires.

Alberta RCMP also shared that hundreds of officers from across the province are being re-deployed to assist in response, including traffic units and administrative workers.

In addition to that, the RCMP has requested units from different divisions, including the Sheriffs branch of Alberta, conservation officers, and Fish and Wildlife officers.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP, explained that while the community of Drayton Valley remained evacuated overnight, police discovered four individuals allegedly breaking into and entering a local gas station.

Zablocki noted that the RCMP will also look into possibly requesting additional resources from outside of the province.

Alberta Health Services said today that patient evacuation from hospitals in Drayton Valley, Fox Creek and Edson have all been successful.

As for Edson, the province confirmed reports that Jasper’s power grid is being threatened by a wildfire. Jasper and Hinton is where evacuees from Edson are supposed to go. The province says details of a contingency plan, which may see evacuees directed toward Banff or even Calgary, are being finalized.

According to the province, the safety of Albertans remains the number one priority as officials direct resources to incidents that have direct threats to human life.

At the time of this report, there are 110 active wildfires burning across the province.

Since 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 5, there have been 52 new fire starts, burning an estimated 121,109 hectares in the province.

There are 14 states of emergency in effect across the province, and over 24,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, with another 52,000 under an evacuation alert.

A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction remains in place across the forest protection area of Alberta, and many other municipalities and Alberta Parks have issued fire bans to prevent accidental wildfires.

Officials said Saturday evening that the Emergency Management Cabinet Committee continues to meet regularly to respond to the current wildfire situation across the province. Cabinet continues to have decision-making abilities, and will make decisions as needed to deal with this emergency situation.

It was also said that Opposition Leader Rachel Notley is being kept apprised, and that her offer to help, given her experience during the 2016 fire in Fort McMurray, will be considered.

Further information about the wildfires of note and evacuation alerts and orders can be found on the Alberta Government website or the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Additional resources can be found through the Wildfire Resource Line, which is 310-4455, a common call center where people can find updates needed on evacuation services.

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley issued the following statement on May 7, 2023, regarding the ongoing Provincial State of Emergency:

“This morning, I met with Albertans impacted by wildfires who are currently staying at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

“We want to ensure folks that, regardless of the election, government is going to work very hard to have their backs in this difficult time.

“I also met briefly this morning with Danielle Smith and offered my insights and experience from the 2016 Fort McMurray fire.

“If you are impacted by the wildfires and need support, I encourage you to call the Wildfire Resource Line at 310-4455.

“Albertans are at our very best when we come together. The outpouring of support during the wildfires the past few days is incredible but hardly surprising. Taking care of each other is just what we do.”

The next wildfire update from the province will be issued at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2023.