Province of Alberta

05/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2024 16:43

Update 4: Alberta wildfire information update: May 21, 3 p.m.

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Current situation

  • On May 18, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo lifted the state of local emergency, as well as the evacuation order for the communities of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace. More information: www.rmwb.ca.
  • On May 19, the MWF017 wildfire was classified as being held. This means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past current boundaries.
  • There was no growth of the fire yesterday and fire activity was minimal. More than 40 mm of rain has fallen on the fire since May 16.
  • There are more than 230 firefighters and 22 helicopters assigned to this wildfire.
  • Firefighters have returned to the fire line, looking for and extinguishing hot spots to strengthen the containment lines.
  • Heavy equipment operators have completed their work on the containment lines and fire guards and are on standby for additional support.
  • A fire ban remains in place in the Fort McMurray, High Level and Grande Prairie Forest areas, as well as an off-highway vehicle restriction in the southern portion of the Fort McMurray Forest area. This means that the recreational use of off-highway vehicles on public land is prohibited.
  • These bans are in place to limit the number of human-caused wildfires.
  • There are currently 33 wildfires burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Of these wildfires, none are out of control, three are classified as being held and 30 are under control.
  • Since Jan.1, there have been 357 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 28,794 hectares. Of these wildfires, three are classified as being held, 9 are under control, three have been turned over and 342 are extinguished.
  • Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Support for evacuees

  • Support continues to be available to Albertans. Visit alberta.ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
  • Number of people registered at evacuation centres at time of closure: 3,028
  • As the evacuation order has been rescinded, and residents under the mandatory evacuation order had been out for five days (May 14 to May 18) while the mandatory order was in effect, the Emergency Evacuation Payments are no longer applicable. This benefit was only intended to be available for residents displaced under a mandatory evacuation order after seven or more days.

Roads and Highways

  • There are currently no highway closures due to wildfires.
  • Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

Health Care

Education

Alberta Emergency Alerts

  • There are no longer any evacuation alerts in effect for the County of Grande Prairie. The wildfire alert is no longer in effect from Township Road 741 to a quarter section north of Township Road 734 and Range Road 32 to the Smoky River.
  • For up-to-the-minute Alberta Emergency Alert information visit Alberta Emergency Alert.
  • Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

Emergency Preparedness

  • Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now.
  • To be prepared, Albertans need to 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.

Wildfire Updates

  • Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen will provide a weekly briefing with officials from Alberta Wildfire and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency on Thursdays at 9:30 am.