We want to thank all of the many out of province and country resources assisting AB Wildfire in the Edson Forest Area. (June 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. - Alberta Wildfire.)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

WATCH

Alberta wildfire update: June 12

Jun 12, 2023 | 2:47 PM

Albertans are asked to continue to be diligent as extreme fire conditions persist in northwestern Alberta.

Current situation

• Those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at alberta.ca.
• An evacuation order remains in effect for the area around the town of Edson, from approximately Obed Lake to Chip Lake. The remainder of Yellowhead County is on evacuation alert. A reception centre has been set up at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
• An evacuation order remains in effect for the hamlet of Fort Chipewyan, Mikisew Cree First Nation (Allison Bay, Dog Head and Devils Gate), Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Parts of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remain under evacuation order.
• View the full list of evacuation orders.
• The evacuation order for the Sweathouse area of the M.D. of Greenview is no longer in effect as of 4 p.m. on June 11.
• An evacuation alert remains in effect as of 8:18 a.m. June 12  for Brazeau County, west of Range Road 95 to the entire Brazeau County border from north to south, including Lodgepole and Cynthia.
• An evacuation alert remains in effect for Woodlands County as of 6:05 p.m. on June 11: north of Township Road 561, west of Range Road 120 south of Groat Creek Road, Township Road 584 west of the McLeod River to Range Road 144 east of the McLeod River to Range Road 123 at Whitecourt Mountain.
• An evacuation alert remains in effect for Grande Prairie County for everyone located north of Township Road 732, west of Range Road 131 and south of Township Road 742.
• Support continues to be available to Albertans 24-7. Visit ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
• There are multiple road closures and advisories for north-central Alberta. Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.
• Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
• Current year wildfires by suspected cause:
  • Human: 368 (Human-caused wildfires cover several different categories – everything from recreational fires to agricultural incidents to wildfires caused by people on residential land. Human-caused wildfires account for more than half of all wildfires annually.)
  • Lightning: 129
  • Under investigation: 135
• Albertans are asked to do their part to prevent new wildfires by respecting fire bans or restrictions in their areas. Visit ca for details.
• Special air quality statements remain in effect across parts of the province. Visit alberta.ca to find out the level of health risk associated with your local air quality.
• Number of evacuation orders: 5
• Alberta Emergency Alerts: 2 orders and 5 alerts
• Number of evacuees: 14,046
• Alberta currently has approximately 2,700 personnel working on wildfires. This includes support from partner agencies across Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the Canadian Armed Forces.

Support for evacuees

• Those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at alberta.ca.
• Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 19,500 applications have been processed.
• More than $24.5 million in e-transfers has been sent to evacuees.
• More than $9.5 million in debit cards has been distributed.
• Residents who have been evacuated from Edson and Yellowhead County can now apply for emergency evacuation assistance.
• The Alberta Supports Centre in Hinton has extended hours to support families and individuals evacuated from Edson and Yellowhead County.
• Alberta Supports staff will provide debit cards to evacuees at the Edmonton Expo Centre:
  • June 12 to 16 from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • June 17 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• If residents were evacuated, returned to their homes and then were re-evacuated, they are still eligible to receive an evacuation payment if they have been evacuated for a total of seven days.
• Eligible evacuees will receive $1,250 per adult and an additional $500 per child under 18. This means that an evacuated family with two adults and two children will receive $3,500.
• Funds can take up to 24 hours to flow into accounts and will be disbursed via e-transfer.
• Evacuees who are unable to receive an e-transfer or who cannot apply online can contact 310-4455 for assistance and to make alternate payment arrangements.
• Applications will be open for 30 days after the last mandatory evacuation order ends; however, eligible evacuees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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Donations

• 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.
• The Canadian Red Cross has launched an Immediate Support to Not-for-Profit Organizations program to deliver urgent and ongoing support for people affected by wildfires across Alberta.
• Eligible community organizations providing immediate relief assistance may apply for $5,000 in one-time funding. View full program eligibility criteria.

For more information on the emergency and supports for evacuees, go to alberta.ca/emergency.