'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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.