Members of the Domestic Response Company, 41 Canadian Brigade Group assisting on EWF-035 on May 23, 2023. (Alberta Wildfire)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

WATCH

Provincial officials provide update on Alberta’s wildfire situation

May 24, 2023 | 12:59 PM

Albertans returning home are asked to continually check in with local authorities.

Provincial officials say those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.

Current situation

Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency. Visit alberta.ca/emergency for information or call 310-4455, now available 24-7.
A fire ban and an off-highway vehicle restriction are in place across the Forest Protection Area.
Fire danger remains moderate to very high in northern Alberta and low to high along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Much of western and central Alberta received showers over the past 24 hours, dissipating smoke and easing wildfire intensity in some areas.
Today’s weather patterns bring the possibility of intermittent, isolated showers and thunderstorms to parts of the province.
Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Some communities remain affected by poor air quality. Keep up to date on special air quality statements and advisories.
- Visit airquality.alberta.ca to find out the level of health risk associated with your local air quality.
- Learn more about the potential effects of wildfire smoke on your health.
Evacuation orders: 9
Alberta Emergency Alerts: 14 (6 orders, 8 advisories)
Number of evacuees: 6,852
Alberta currently has more than 2,700 personnel working on wildfires. This includes support from partner agencies across Canada and the United States, as well as the Canadian Armed Forces.

The City of Calgary will close its evacuee reception centre at 5 p.m. on May 24.
Evacuation orders for O’Chiese First Nation, the town of Swan Hills, town of Fox Creek, hamlet of Little Smoky, MD of Greenview, the Sturgeon Lake area and East Prairie Metis Settlement have been lifted. Certain communities returning home remain under four-hour evacuation alert.
View a full list of closures and restriction details.

Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 14,600 applications have been processed.
More than $19.5 million in e-transfers has been sent to evacuees.
More than $6.3 million in debit cards has been distributed.
Debit cards are available for evacuees unable to receive an e-transfer at 15 Alberta Supports Centre locations with extended hours.

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 Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will each match every dollar donated, so every $1 will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires.
The Canadian Red Cross is launching 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.

Government staff have been coordinating a high volume of offers from Albertans and from others across North America.
Individuals and companies with goods or services to offer or donate to support the government’s response to the wildfire can continue to email EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

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

by rdnewsNOW Staff