'This could be a turning point': Rain brings hope for firefighting efforts in Alberta
Fewer fires were burning in Alberta Monday, thanks to rain and cooler weather across the province.
"The wildfire situation remains highly volatile across Alberta, but we are hopeful that there is some relief in sight," said Bre Hutchinson, Alberta Emergency Management Agency executive director.
The number of active wildfires had dropped to 81, down from 91 on Saturday. Of those, 23 were classified as out-of-control.
Sixteen evacuation orders remained in place, and almost 10,900 Albertans were unable to return home.
The May long weekend is normally a time when fire activity increases, and Hutchinson thanked Albertans for obeying fire bans, restrictions and evacuation orders.
"Your efforts in following directions from local officials and first responders have been key to positively impacting our ability to respond to this wildfire emergency," she said.
Smoke cover, cooler temperatures and higher humidity also helped firefighting efforts.
"The majority of the large-scale wildfires that have been burning in Alberta have received some rain since yesterday, which is very good news," Tucker said. "This could be a turning point for the firefighters working out there."
More than 2,900 firefighters and support staff from 17 agencies are working on the wildfires and additional requests for support have been made.
"This is a marathon not a sprint," Tucker said. "We need to plan ahead to be able to continue to fight these large-scale wildfires."
So far this season, a total of 512 wildfires have burned a record-breaking 945,000 hectares. The previous spring record was 615,000 hectares burned in 2019.
According to Canada's Air Quality Health Index, air quality in Edmonton had improved slightly Monday afternoon, dropping from a 10+ to a 9.
By Tuesday night, the index is expected to have dropped to a low-risk 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
The RCMP is alleging Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada engaged in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions.
'A threat to all of us': Eby addresses RCMP allegations Indian officials linked to Canadian homicides, extortion
B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Scientists claim to solve centuries-old mystery of Christopher Columbus' origins
The 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, Spanish scientists said on Saturday, after using DNA analysis to tackle a centuries-old mystery.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
Airbnb guests east of Toronto steal quarter of a million dollars worth of jewelry: police
Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.
Pledges to cover fertility treatment as elections play out across Canada
As provincial elections play out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick this month, there are pledges to provide more fertility treatment coverage.
Mass shootings share 'sketchy stories,' B.C. Conservative candidate claims in resurfaced social post
Embattled B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman is under fire once again, this time for past Facebook comments casting doubt on the official accounts of mass shooting events in Canada and the U.S.