Evacuation alerts in the Fort McMurray, Alberta region have been expanded to include several new communities due to the risk of wildfires. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) announced the expansion of the alert to include Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Rickards Landing Industrial Park. Residents in these areas must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. The RMWB also anticipated that Highway 63 may be impacted and temporarily closed, although access to Fort McMurray via Highway 881 was not expected to be affected at the time of the announcement.
The wildfire near Fort McMurray remains out of control and has grown to over 1,400 hectares. Alberta Wildfire reported that as of Saturday morning, the fire was 16 km southwest of Fort McMurray on the south side of the Athabasca River valley. Despite extreme wildfire behavior, crews are working with air tankers and helicopters to try to bring the fire under control. Five crews of wildland firefighters, nine helicopters, and air tankers are expected to be working on the fire on Saturday. The province has also been dealing with another out-of-control fire near Grande Prairie, with a total of 11 new wildfire starts overnight and 47 wildfires burning across the province on Saturday.
Residents in areas under evacuation alerts should be prepared to evacuate on short notice. It is important for affected residents to stay informed and monitor the latest information on wildfire status and evacuation orders through the Alberta Emergency Alert website and Alberta Wildfire website. The province is focusing its efforts on fighting wildfires where extreme fire behavior is observed. Despite challenging conditions, crews are working hard to manage the wildfires as best as they can.
The high winds in the region have posed challenges for firefighters battling the wildfires. The windy conditions have contributed to the rapid growth of the fires, making containment efforts more difficult. However, progress has been made through night operations and the use of air tankers and helicopters to combat the flames. Although the windy conditions persist, the decrease in smoke has allowed for improved visibility, enabling aircraft to be deployed in the Fort McMurray area to support firefighting efforts.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of residents and properties in the affected areas. With a focus on areas experiencing extreme fire behavior, efforts are being directed towards containing the wildfires and preventing further spread. It is crucial for residents to follow evacuation alerts and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The cooperation and support of the community are essential in ensuring the effectiveness of firefighting operations and protecting lives and properties from the ongoing wildfires in the province.
