Local updates on wildfires and evacuation orders: May 14

He says this in an increase due to three new evacuation orders in the past 24 hours for Rainbow Lake, Leduc County, and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

“The wildfire situation is extremely volatile. Hot and dry conditions throughout much of Alberta present an ever increasing risk of new wildfires starting and the potential for current wildfires to grow quickly. This situation represents a significant and unpredictable threat to many communities in our province,” he said, urging residents to be prepared in case of an evacuation.

Josee St-Onge, Information Officer for Alberta Wildfire, said that this year they have already responded to 451 wildfires that have burnt over 521,000 hectares.

She said they are expecting to see little chance of rain throughout the province with temperatures in the north reaching in the uppers-20s alongside low humidity. She added they expect winds between 10 – 20 km/hr in most of the boreal forest area with gusts around 40 km/hr in the north.

St-Onge says they saw an increase in fire activity on Saturday as a result.

“The interior of wildfires can flare up as previously unburnt vegetation catches fire,” she said.

However, she said overall, firefighters were able to hold their ground as all resources are being utilized including over 1,500 Alberta Wildland firefighters, with an additional 200 firefighters from the United States, Canadian Armed Forces, heavy equipment, 25 fixed-wing aircraft, and 151 helicopters. In total, she says over 800 people from other agencies are helping the province.

Some of the ways they have been able to contain fires include building fireguards, which are barriers created through the removal of trees and other vegetation which can be fuel for fire. The province says they are currently working with local authorities from the Municipal District of Greenview to build one around Little Smoky and along Highway 43.

St-Onge says, while not as extreme, the fire danger is also climbing in the south of the province with hot and dry conditions. She says they are preparing to position resources in strategic places for quick reaction if needed.

Blair says that many Albertans have shown interest in volunteering to help, with the province already receiving 300 emails. He says staff are looking to see if people are qualified to help.

He urged residents to get in touch with their local authorities or send an email to EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca and wait for their response before helping on their own.

As of 5:45 p.m., the province says there are 89 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, with 25 classified as out of control, 17 being held and are not expected to grow beyond projected boundaries given current weather conditions and resources, and 44 under control. Eight evacuation alerts remain in place.

A fire ban and an off-highway vehicle restriction are in place across the Forest Protection Area.

For supports, officials say over 8,400 applications have been processed since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, with more than $13.2 million in e-transfers and $2.2 million in debit cards being distributed.

Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice.

Alberta RCMP say they are using the free RAVE Alert system to send tips about how Albertans can protect their properties in advance of being evacuated and updates on what the RCMP are doing in specific areas to deter and catch criminals who might take advantage of this provincial emergency. Mounties add they are patrolling and monitoring evacuated communities, using a variety of tools and resources to minimize crime in affected areas.

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. will be the final tele-town hall for wildfire evacuee information. Residents can join by phone at 1-833-380-0691.

For updated alerts, visit Alberta Emergency Alert.

by Alessia Proietti

Local updates on wildfires and evacuation orders: May 14

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