Courtesy: Government of Alberta
The fire danger remains extreme across most the province, with some wildfires growing in size. Cooler, wet weather in the days ahead could provide a little relief.
While some communities have allowed residents to return, evacuation orders and alerts remain in other places. Additional firefighting resources are coming from across North America.
Current situation (as of 3 p.m., June 10)
- There are 60 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area, and three mutual aid fires.
- 25 are classified as out of control, seven are being held and 28 are under control.
- Two wildfires near the Peerless Trout and Chipewyan Lakes First Nations have merged and are expected to grow over the next few days.
- Since January 1, there have been 545 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning more than 619,000 hectares.
- More than 1,000 Alberta firefighters, contract firefighters and imported firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the province.
- Resources currently being used include heavy equipment, air tankers, helicopters and night vision helicopters.
- Alberta has imported firefighters and aircraft from Yukon, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Hawaii.
- Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Orders and alerts
- Updates on evacuation orders are available on www.alberta.ca/emergency.
- On June 10, the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 issued an evacuation order for everyone between the Smoky River and the Forestry Trunk Road, along all points accessed from the Forestry Trunk Road from kilometre 70 to kilometre 126.
- On June 9, Saddle Hills County issued an evacuation order for everyone located between Range Road 95 and Highway 725, and Township Road 794 and Township Road 802, including Moonshine Lake Provincial Park. This evacuation order was expanded on June 10 to include everyone located between Township Road 794 and Highway 49, between Range Road 94 and Range Road 85.
- Reception centre at Blueberry Mountain Hall, located at Highway 680 and Range Road 82.
- On June 9, Lac La Biche County downgraded its evacuation order for southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake to an evacuation alert.
- On June 9, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo lifted its evacuation alert for the Conklin area.
- On June 8, the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 expanded its evacuation order to include everyone north of Township Road 700 to Highway 43, and east of the border with British Columbia to Range Road 130.
- Reception centre at Hythe Community Library, 10013 100 Street, Hythe.
- The Dene Tha’ First Nation’s evacuation order for the community of Chateh remains in effect.
- Registration centre at the Bushe River Administrative Office in High Level.
- The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council’s evacuation orders for Loon Lake 235, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake remain in effect.
- Registration centre at 10451 170 Street, Edmonton.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Red Earth Creek remains in effect.
- Reception centre at the Baytex Energy Centre, 9810 73 Avenue, Peace River.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake also remains in effect.
- Reception centre at Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais.
- Evacuation alerts are currently in effect for:
- Hamlet of Marten Beach – Municipal District of Slave River
- Hamlet of Peers and area – Yellowhead County
- Hawk Hills area – County of Northern Lights
- Southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake – Lac La Biche County
- The area between Range Road 95 and Highway 725, and Township Road 802 and 810; everyone outside the expanded evacuation zone between Range Road 95 and Highway 725, and Township Road 794 and Highway 49; and the area between Township Road 802 and Highway 49, and Highway 725 and Range Road 82 – Saddle Hills County
- North of Township Road 710 to 752 east of Range Road 130 to Range Road 124 – County of Grande Prairie No. 1
- Town of Swan Hills
- Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
- People living in Alberta are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
Eligibility for Emergency Evacuation Payments
- Alberta’s government provides a one-time emergency evacuation payment to residents who had to leave their communities for seven or more days due to mandatory evacuation orders.
- Eligible adults receive $1,250 and $500 for each dependent child under the age of 18.
- Evacuees are encouraged to apply for these emergency payments online at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca, by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or by visiting an Alberta Supports office for assistance. Locations can be found at alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
- Those in need of immediate emergency financial assistance can contact the Income Support Emergency Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135. The contact centre operates 24/7.
Air quality
- Visit Wildfire Smoke Information for air quality monitoring information to make informed decisions about outdoor activities to protect your health. While wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta, the presence of smoke does not necessarily mean there is fire near your community. Find information about the status of active wildfires and wildfire updates at Alberta Wildfire.
Fire bans
- A fire ban is in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
- Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited, and existing fire permits are suspended.
- Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.
- Fire bans outside the Forest Protection Area are the responsibility of municipalities and counties.
- Everyone has a role to play in wildfire prevention. Follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
- Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Roads and highways
- Highway 35 between the junction with Highway 692 and Highway 695, north of Manning, is open. Drivers should expect reduced visibility due to smoke. The highway may close without warning if fire conditions change.
- Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is currently closed due to a wildfire.
- Highway 671/Kelly Lake Road at the Alberta/B.C. border to Range Road 130, southwest of Hythe, is closed due to a wildfire in BC.
- 511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.
- Alberta highways that are affected by the wildfires will open and close frequently depending on safety and weather conditions. Be patient and respect the staff at the closure/detour sites – they are there with your safety in mind.
Health
- The Swan Hills Emergency Department is now open. The Swan Hills Healthcare Centre continues to work towards a full reopening.
- For information about wildfire resources, including mental health, visit Wildfire Resources | Alberta Health Services
Education
- Six schools are currently closed in response to community evacuations:
- Dene Tha’ Community School, in Chateh
- Kateri School, in Trout Lake
- Elizabeth Quintal Schools, in Peerless Lake
- Clarence Jaycox School, in Loon Lake
- Red Earth Creek School, in Red Earth Creek
- Chipewyan Lake School, in Chipewyan Lake
- Swan Hills School, in Swan Hills, reopened on Monday, June 9.
- Parents and guardians should reach out to local school authorities for the most current information on impacts to schooling.
- All impacted school authorities had plans in place to ensure displaced students have access to educational programming.
Child care
- One child-care centre is currently closed in response to community evacuations:
- Opportunity Childcare, in Red Earth Creek
- Licensed child-care programs are required to notify Child Care Connect if they close unexpectedly.
- Parents and guardians should reach out to their child-care provider for information on closures.
Justice
- The Chateh and Red Earth Creek courthouses are closed until further notice due to evacuations. Visit the Alberta Courts website for the most current information regarding court scheduling.
Heritage Sites
- Alberta’s government is offering free general admission to our world-class museums and historic sites in support of displaced Albertans who must leave their homes due to wildfires.
- Alberta’s heritage sites offer informative and enjoyable activities and exhibits suitable for the whole family: https://www.alberta.ca/historic-sites-museums.
- Visitors to provide their postal code or government ID to verify their evacuation status.
- Sites will continue to offer free admission until evacuees are able to return home.
- Sites offering free admission:
- Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton
- Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller
- Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin
- Remington Carriage Museum, Cardston
- Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Fort McMurray
- Rutherford House, Edmonton
- Stephansson House, Red Deer County
- Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Crowsnest Pass
- Fort George and Buckingham House, St. Paul
- Historic Dunvegan, Fairview
- Victoria Settlement, County of Smoky Lake
- Turner Valley Gas Plant, Diamond Valley
- Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump, Fort Macleod
Emergency Preparedness
- Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now. To be prepared, ensure you know what to do, where to go and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
- Read more about emergency preparedness.
