Alberta wildfires: What you need to know on Sunday

Eighty-nine wildfires were burning in Alberta's forests on Sunday evening, according to Alberta Wildfire.

Of those, 23 were classified as out of control, 48 under control, and 18 being held.

The number does not include fires for which a local municipality is leading the response.

Josee St-Onge, Alberta Wildfire information officer, said the dry, hot conditions are increasing fire risk throughout the province and officials are reminding Albertans to stay vigilant.

"Given the conditions, we urge everyone to continue respecting the fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction that's in place for the forest protection area of Alberta," St-Onge said. "We want to focus our firefighting efforts on existing fires instead of responding to new ones."

A total of 13 evacuation orders were in place, with an estimated 19,342 people forced from their homes due to wildfire.

There are several resources available for Albertans affected by a wildfire:

• 24-hour wildfire information can be found by calling 310-4455.
• Volunteer firefighting efforts can be emailed to [e-mail].
• Emergency preparedness instructions can be found here.
• Donations to the Red Cross for wildfire evacuees can be made here.

The Alberta government holds a nightly telephone town hall for evacuees at 7:30 p.m. Albertans can join by dialing 1-833-380-0691.

The most current and detailed information about evacuation and wildfire alerts is available here. 

CHIPEWYAN LAKE

A fire north of Chipewyan Lake prompted an evacuation Sunday for the community and surrounding municipal district of Opportunity.

Residents were supposed to report to the Lakeview Sports Centre in Wabasca. 

BRAZEAU COUNTY, DRAYTON VALLEY

Some residents in Brazeau County remain under an evacuation order. Others are supposed to be prepared to leave with 30 minutes' notice.

• Evacuation zone: Between Township Roads 480 and 494, and Range Roads 64 and 90. This includes the Town of Drayton Valley.
• On alert: Between Township Road 480 to Highway 621, and between Range Roads 90 and 110. 

Evacuees have been directed to go to the Expo Centre in Edmonton. Help is available at 780-542-7777. 

RAINBOW LAKE 

Rainbow Lake in northwestern Alberta, at risk because of a fire to the south, has been evacuated since May 6. 

Evacuees are being hosted at the High Level Arena, where there are beds or space for campers. 

DENE THA' FIRST NATION 

Chateh, one of three communities making up the Dene Tha' First Nation, remained under an evacuation order Sunday. 

Evacuees were supposed to register at the Bushe River Administrative Office in High Level. 

BIG LAKES COUNTY 

Due to a fire southeast of High Prairie, some residents in Big Lakes County remained under an evacuation order Sunday: between Township Roads 740 and 730 and Range Roads 162 and 152. East Prairie Métis Settlement also remained evacuated.

Evacuees were supposed to go to the Elks Rodeo Hall on Highway 79. 

LEDUC COUNTY

Crews were able to contain a wildfire in Leduc County on Saturday and the evacuation order for the area was lifted on Sunday night. 

M.D. OF GREENVIEW 

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, as well as the area between the nation and Township Road 722 between highway 49 and Range Road 242, remain evacuated. 

As well, Fox Creek, Little Smoky, and all surrounding areas of these communities remain evacuated. Evacuees were told to go to Whitecourt on Highway 43. A reception centre has been set up at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre. 

And, an area south of Grovedale is also evacuated: south of Township Road 690, between Highway 40 and the B.C. border. Residents north of Township Road 690, up to the Wapiti River, are supposed to be ready to leave on short notice. 

CLEAR HILLS COUNTY 

A wildfire moving northeast along the south side of Highway 64 means some Clear Hills County residents should be ready to leave within one hour. 

The area under alert is south of Township Road 854 between Range Roads 84 and 74. 

SUCKER CREEK FIRST NATION 

Everyone in Sucker Creek First Nation remains on an evacuation alert. 

A wildfire is burning west of East Prairie Road - Highway 749. 

The First Nation was told to be ready to leave with one hour's notice.