Winds expected to move fire away from Fort McMurray on Wednesday: province
A wildfire burning near Fort McMurray is expected to move away from the community on Wednesday.
The MWF-017 wildfire near Fort McMurray is now 5.5 kilometres from the city's landfill, two kilometres closer than it was on Tuesday afternoon.
The fire is 4.5 kilometres from the Highway 63 and Highway 881 intersection and is about 21,000 hectares in size — about the size of Victoria, B.C. — according to the latest information.
Officials expected fire behaviour to be subdued in the morning, but sunny conditions in the afternoon could fan the flames.
"Active fire behaviour is expected today, but it should be less than what we saw yesterday, thanks to cooler temperatures and weaker winds," Christie Tucker with Alberta Wildfire told reporters. "Winds from the northwest at 10 km/h are expected today, which should push the fire away from Fort McMurray and Highway 63."
"The change in the weather gives firefighters a good window to make progress, but there's still a lot of work to be done to contain this wildfire," Josee St-Onge of Alberta Wildfire said. "We are still expecting high fire activity today. Firefighters will be back on the fire line today and will work to establish a containment line.
"Helicopters and air tankers will continue to drop water and retardant on the active edges of this fire. Heavy Equipment Operators will build fire guards to the southwest of Fort McMurray."
A fire ban will take effect in the community on Wednesday at 2 p.m. MT.
"Under the fire ban all outdoor wood fires on public and private land are banned," Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks said.
In addition, an off-highway vehicle restriction will be implemented for the Fort McMurray forest area. Under an OHV restriction the recreational use of OHVs is prohibited."
The fire ban replaces a fire restriction that was previously in place.
"Originally, we thought that a fire restriction would be enough to prevent human-caused wildfires in the area. But it was decided that it needed to be escalated to absolutely no fires allowed at all," St-Onge said.
Evacuee information
Four neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray were evacuated on Tuesday.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) officials said people should expect to remain out of their homes for several days.
"If you are currently under an evacuation order, please prepare to remain evacuated until at least Tuesday, May 21," RMWB fire Chief Jody Butz said. "This does not guarantee that you will return on that date but we want to advise you to plan to be evacuated until then."
Provincial officials said Wednesday morning that an estimated 6,000 people have left the community.
A reception centre has been set up at the Clareview Recreation Centre in Edmonton.
"I want to convey to the evacuees coming into our city that our city welcomes you," Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday. "You're going through the most difficult time leaving your home, leaving your possessions and you want to be supported."
Anyone living in the evacuated neighbourhoods can go to the centre for food and lodging.
Evacuation centres are also open in Cold Lake and Lac La Biche.
Officials are asking evacuees to stay at the evacuation centre they are already at and not to attempt to transfer to a different reception centre.
Residents who did not register at an evacuation centre or who chose to leave without an evacuation order will not be reimbursed for expenses, officials say.
Anyone who is out of their home for seven days or more as a result of a wildfire evacuation is entitled to a payment of $1,250 per adult and $500 per child.
Premier Danielle Smith says support is also available for residents in the immediate aftermath of the evacuation.
"We provide hotel vouchers, food, and all of the additional communication support, it's when an evacuation lingers longer than a week that it can become a financial hardship," she said.
Anyone who was not able to bring their animals when they left is asked to submit a request online.
RCMP say a number of tactics are being employed to secure evacuated neighbourhoods, including perimeter control, roving patrols, and special tactical operations and emergency response teams to react to any reported incidents.
All Fort McMurray public and Catholic schools are closed for the remainder of the week.
Butz said any residents not living in one of the evacuated neighbourhoods could return home any time.
"If you left Fort McMurray yesterday not as a part of the evacuation order, you're welcome to come home. And you're welcome to feel safe being home. The highway is open in both directions and the traffic is flowing freely. Businesses and day-to-day operations continue for many parts of the region."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
LIVE UPDATES 'Hopefully it's better than what we're thinking': Jasper wildfire damage details anxiously awaited
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.