South African firefighters join their Alberta counterparts at a dozer guard. (Alberta Wildfire)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Overview

Alberta wildfire update: June 20

Jun 20, 2023 | 5:04 PM

Residents of the Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo will return home later this week as the area wildfire’s southern perimeter has been brought under control, according to the Alberta government.

Current situation

• Phased re-entry operations for Fort Chipewyan are planned to begin later this week.
  • Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation council will host a telephone town hall for all evacuees today, starting at 6:30 p.m.
  • General community re-entry for Fort Chipewyan residents is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 22.
  • Re-entry for Fort Chipewyan residents with mobility issues or health conditions is scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 24.
• An evacuation order remains in effect for Little River Cree Nation – Fox Lake.
• A four-hour wildfire evacuation alert remains in effect for Edson. Residents should be ready to leave in a short time frame if conditions worsen.
• Yellowhead County and the Town of Edson have issued states of local emergency due to heavy rain and flooding.
• Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.
• Support continues to be available to Albertans 24-7. Visit alberta.ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
• Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
• Current year wildfires by suspected cause:
  • Human: 386 (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: 141
  • Under investigation: 129
• Albertans are asked to do their part to prevent new wildfires by respecting fire bans or restrictions in their areas. Visit albertafirebans.ca for details.
• Special air quality statements remain in effect across parts of the province. Visit airquality.alberta.ca to find out the level of health risk associated with your local air quality.
• Number of evacuation orders: 2
• Alberta Emergency Alerts: 1 order and 1 alert
• Number of evacuees: 3,693
• Alberta currently has more than 2,700 personnel working on wildfires. This includes support from partner agencies across Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Chile and South Africa.

Support for evacuees

• Those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.
• Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 25,600 applications have been processed.
• More than $33 million in e-transfers has been sent to evacuees.
• More than $11.3 million in debit cards has been distributed.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

15h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

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.