Wildfires in Alberta
Nour Zaher
News Editor
The province reports that fire threat has increased from extremely high to exceptional levels in several of its northern regions, where temperatures are forecast to reach close to 30 C. According to officials, people must be ready to leave immediately and with little notice.
Alberta Wildfire says there were 88 wildfires raging in Alberta’s woodlands on Sunday afternoon.
24 of them were deemed to be out of control, 47 to be under control, and 17 to be confined.
This amount excludes fires for which a neighbourhood municipality is in charge of the response.
The dry, hot weather is raising the risk of fire throughout the whole province, according to Josée St-Onge, Alberta’s wildfire information officer, and officials are warning residents to be cautious.
Colin Blair, executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, stated during a press conference on May 14 at 3 p.m. that the situation is anticipated to continue “volatile.”
According to the provincial wildfire dashboard, Slave Lake, High Level, Rocky Mountain House, and Edson continue to have the most burnt hectares in their forested regions.
There were a total of 14 evacuation orders, which means that 19,342 individuals were reportedly evicted from their houses.
The government is constructing a fireguard around the city in collaboration with the County of Grande Prairie and the City of Grande Prairie. 79 firemen in total are travelling to Alberta this weekend from Ontario and Quebec to help the situation.