Wildfire danger remains high in northern Alberta, hundreds displaced from Fort Chipewyan
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 61 wildfires in Alberta, including 15 out of control.
A wildfire near Fort Chipewyan, Alta., has been the province's priority since it started on Sunday.
Alberta Wildfire said additional resources are being directed to the 8,600 hectare fire, which is burning out of control around 10 kilometres from the community.
Close to 1,000 area residents had to flee the area by plane or boat.
"Things have been quite chaotic," Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday.
"We managed to get 800 people out of the community in the last two days."
The last plane left Fort Chipewyan at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Evacuees went to Fort McMurray and Fort McKay.
"The fire in the Fort Chipewyan area remains a high priority, but as you know, fires continue to burn across the northern part of the province," said Alberta Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Bre Hutchinson on Thursday.
Hutchinson said the fire danger remains extreme in the north, despite most of Alberta seeing rain over the past few days.
Around 4,400 Albertans are away from their homes due to wildfires.
More than 300 firefighters from the United States and South Africa are on their way to Canada to battle wildfires, the federal government announced on Thursday.
"This is truly an international effort," said Christie Tucker of Alberta Wildfire. "Now, many other provinces across Canada are starting to experience the extreme wildfire conditions we've been fighting in Alberta for the past month.
"We're grateful to all of those who have already come to assist us and to those who are still here in the province."
The 215 firefighters from South Africa will likely be stationed in Alberta.
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Edmonton's Diego Romero
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.