By Canadian Press

wildfire smoke damage prompts closures

Northern Alberta school district cancels classes for remainder of year

Jun 3, 2019 | 3:27 PM

Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the school year in a northern Alberta school district due to smoke from wildfires in the region.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says the closure of schools in the Fort Vermilion School Division is related to their ventilation systems — but it will give families one less thing to worry about during a difficult time.

““The safety of students is my number one priority. This closure will give them one less thing to worry about and help them focus on being with their families during this difficult time,” said LaGrange.

Students wishing to write a diploma exam, Grade 6 or Grade 9 provincial achievement test can do so by making alternate arrangements with the school division.

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Fort Vermilion School Division covers several communities including High Level, where residents were evacuated two weeks ago due to a massive wildfire near the community.

The evacuation order has been lifted for about 4,000 residents of High Level, the surrounding areas of Mackenzie County and three First Nation communities but officials say they must be prepared to leave again on short notice if conditions change.