Evacuation alerts have been extended to include several new communities in the Fort McMurray, Alberta region as firefighters struggle to contain a wildfire that has grown to over 1,400 hectares. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has expanded its alert to include Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Rickards Landing Industrial Park. The alert is due to the risk of wildfire and residents must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. There is anticipation of Highway 63 being impacted and temporary closures may occur. However, access to Fort McMurray via Highway 881 is not expected to be affected at this time.
The wildfire near Fort McMurray is currently out of control and firefighters are using air tankers and helicopters to try and bring it under control. The fire is located 16 km southwest of Fort McMurray on the south side of the Athabasca River valley. Extreme fire behavior was observed the previous day, resulting in significant growth of the fire due to windy conditions. Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters have made progress, and additional resources, including five crews of wildland firefighters, nine helicopters, and air tankers, are expected to work on containing the fire. The wildfire near Fort McMurray is one of two out-of-control fires in the province, with the second fire located near Grande Prairie.
A total of 11 new wildfires started overnight across the province, with 47 wildfires burning in total on Saturday. However, only the fires near Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie remain out of control. The Alberta Wildfire team is focusing their efforts on areas where extreme fire behavior is observed and are working diligently to fight the wildfires. Residents in areas under evacuation alerts must be prepared to evacuate on short notice and should stay informed about the situation by visiting the Alberta Emergency Alert, Alberta Wildfire, and Alberta fire bans websites for the latest information on evacuation orders and wildfire conditions.
The firefighting efforts in Alberta are continuing despite challenging weather conditions, with strong winds posing a significant challenge to containing the wildfires. Crews are utilizing all available resources, including air tankers, helicopters, and ground crews, to battle the fires and protect communities at risk. The wildfire situation in the province remains dynamic, with new wildfire starts occurring and existing wildfires requiring ongoing monitoring and suppression efforts. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay vigilant, follow evacuation orders, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their communities.
The expanded evacuation alerts in the Fort McMurray region highlight the ongoing threat posed by wildfires in Alberta and the need for residents to be prepared for potential evacuations. The unpredictability of wildfires, coupled with adverse weather conditions, underscores the importance of proactive planning and readiness on the part of residents and emergency responders. As the situation evolves, authorities continue to provide updates and guidance to affected communities to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. The firefighting efforts in the province are a coordinated response involving multiple agencies working together to combat the wildfires and protect lives and property. By remaining vigilant and heeding evacuation orders, residents can contribute to the overall response effort and help ensure the successful containment of wildfires in Alberta.
