Provincial wildfire officials gave an update at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20.
You can view it below:
READ MORE: Red Deer’s air quality deteriorates; advisory remains in effect
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MAY 20 UPDATE
The overall situation remains volatile, officials say, with 91 wildfires burning, 25 of which are out of control. There are also currently 17 evacuation orders, and nearly 10,700 Albertans evacuated.
This year, 496 wildfires have been started, with more than 842,000 hectares burned. On this day last year, a mere 459 hectares had burned.
But officials say while smoke in the air is bad for our health, it can create cooler conditions, leading to weakened fire behaviour. Cooler temperatures and rain are also expected over the next few days, and the hope is that it will add a much needed layer of defense against the current slate of fires.
Lightning is also a factor, however, with strikes seen today near Edson and Grande Prairie. Lightning activity is being monitored closely with storms in the forecast.
Today, the evacuation order for Little Smoky was altered slightly, with residents from that small community now being told to head north because Highway 43 to Whitecourt — where they’ve been told to go for the last two weeks — is now closed both directions.
Pattison Media (rdnewsNOW/XM105/Big West Country/94.5 REWIND Radio) is awaiting an answer on where those residents are specifically supposed to head, but also on the question of if there’s anyone actually left in Little Smoky.
Christie Tucker, information unit manager, Alberta Wildfire, spoke about the situation involving Fox Creek and Little Smoky, with reports yesterday stating the fire was just one kilometre from Fox Creek.
“Technically, the Eagle Complex, which is two wildfires in the vicinity of Fox Creek and Municipal District of Greenview, and particularly Little Smoky, is still classified as out of control,” said Tucker.
“We have been seeing lower fire behaviour in the morning and higher in the evening as the day warms up. Firefighters there are doing their best to manage the area and are working with RCMP on that particular area. One of the fires has had some growth to the east towards Highway 43, but work is continuing on providing a fireguard.”
Tucker also spoke highly of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, and the work it does year-round to ensure fire fighters from across Canada and the U.S. are well coordinated when called into action to work together.
According to today’s update, the Eagle Complex has burned nearly 95,000 hectares. The larger fire is one kilometre from Fox Creek and 10.5 kilometres from Little Smoky, while the other is located in the M.D. of Greenview.
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It being a long weekend, updates will be less frequent on our radio station(s), both on air and online. For the absolute latest information about your community or the one you’re in, visit the following sites:
MD of Greenview: https://www.facebook.com/MDofGreenview
Fox Creek: https://www.facebook.com/townoffoxcreek
Brazeau County: https://www.facebook.com/brazeaucounty
Woodlands County: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscounty
Yellowhead County: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty
Edson: https://www.facebook.com/townofedson
Parkland County: https://www.facebook.com/ParklandCountyAB
Lac Ste. Anne County: https://www.facebook.com/lsacounty
Whitecourt: https://www.facebook.com/TownofWhitecourt/
Valleyview: https://www.facebook.com/townofvalleyview/
READ MORE: Fire ban continues through long weekend in Red Deer
Albertans are asked to do their part to limit new wildfire starts as extreme fire hazards are expected to persist through the critical May long weekend period.
Provincial officials say those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.
Again, for more information on the emergency and supports for evacuees, go to alberta.ca/emergency.
