Wildfires hit the north
Evacuation warning issued as smoke in Wood Buffalo area could close Highway 63
FORT MCMURRAY — An evacuation warning that began Friday in the Wood Buffalo region extended into its second day Saturday.
Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Melissa Story said crews had a successful Friday night fighting the wildfire and winds continued to be on their side. But the air is still dry and there is a fire ban in the area, she warned.
Mayor Sandy Bowman said people should still be prepared for a potential evacuation.
“I know everyone’s feeling unsettled and stressed right now. Our community knows all too well how this feels, but our past experience means we are also very well prepared to handle whatever comes our way,” Bowman said in a video posted to his Facebook page. “This is a good time to make preparations like packing whatever you would need and making plans ... The most important thing you can do is to remain prepared, stay calm and stay informed.”
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) anticipated smoke south of Fort McMurray could become so thick that Highway 63 would have to be closed temporarily.
“This closure would be south of the highway 63 and 881 junction,” read a statement from the RMWB. “At this time, it is not believed that Highway 881 will be immediately impacted. Access to Fort McMurray will not be impeded as highway 881 is not expected to be impacted or closed at this time.”
The wildfire behind the evacuation warning, MWF-017, was 16 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray on the south side of the Athabasca River valley by early Saturday evening. It was roughly 19 kilometres west and 10 kilometres north of Highway 63.
Wind pushed the wildfire southeast and away from Fort McMurray, but towards the Anzac area. It was 1,992 hectares in size as of 6 p.m., growing 900 hectares since an 8:30 a.m. update.
Nine helicopters were attacking the wildfire from the air Saturday supported by water bombing aircraft. Four wildland firefighting crews and a unit crew were battling the fire on the ground. Heavy equipment was also being used to build guards. The RMWB says helicopter pilots equipped with night vision continued fighting the fire overnight Friday.
“Everyone involved is working hard to control this wildfire and ensure the safety of everyone in our region,” said Bowman.
A second wildfire, MWF-022, was spotted south of Anzac before 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters were able to quickly stop it from spreading and Alberta Wildfire considers it under control. Alberta Wildfire’s Story said the expanded evacuation warning is because of MWF-017.
Two wildfires burning west of Fort McMurray and closer to the city are no longer growing.
For now, no community has been ordered to evacuate. People were told to prepare for a potential evacuation shortly before 7 p.m. Friday. When the alert went out, the wildfire was burning out of control 25 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray and covered 200 hectares.
“Everyone involved is working hard to control this wildfire and ensure the safety of everyone in our region,” said Bowman.
Matt Dekker, who moved to Fort McMurray from Calgary this past fall, said he “saw some of the worst behaviour out there” as he was driving home Friday. He said his girlfriend called the lineups at gas stations “a zoo.” Dekker missed the 2016 Horse River Wildfire, but on Friday he went to Calgary with his girlfriend to be safe.
“Whatever happens, happens. I’m pretty calm, for the most part,” said Dekker. “If something does happen, I just want everyone to get out. I’m not tied down to the material things, it’s the people.”
In northwestern Alberta, other fires in the County of Grande Prairie Number 1 and the Municipal District of Greenview Number 16 had forced residents of some rural areas from their homes.
Residents of Edmonton, meanwhile, woke up to smoky skies on Saturday morning due to a fire burning in another province altogether.
Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Heather Rombough said most of the smoke blanketing Edmonton was coming from a fire that’s forced thousands of people to evacuate in northeastern British Columbia. The thickest smoke, which prompted a special air quality statement for the city, could clear by Sunday, Rombough said.
“But then there might be some smoke that lingers around through the next couple days, like into early next week at least,” she cautioned.
The province is reminding people that drones are not allowed to be flown within five nautical miles, or 9.3 kilometres, of a wildfire since it interferes with aerial firefighting operations.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo advises residents in the area to:
■ Follow rmwb.ca/alerts for evacuation information
■ Be aware and stay informed by following official and trusted channels such as alberta.ca/wildfirestatus
■ Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts App
■ Follow local media sources
■ Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
■ Prepare an emergency kit for your household
■ Make an emergency plan for your household