Wildfires prompt more evacuation alerts Saturday in Alberta
As of Saturday at 6:30 p.m, 110 wildfires were burning in Alberta and 37 of those were classified as out of control, prompting evacuation alerts in several central and northern communities.
All evacuees were directed to take their pets, medications, important documents, and enough food and water to be away from home for three days.
Information on emergency alerts, including past alerts and cancelled alerts, can be found on the Alberta Emergency Alert website and the agency's Twitter page.
MACKENZIE COUNTY
A mandatory evacuation was ordered for Mackenzie County, after a fire in the area crossed Highway 88 north of the Peace River.
Everyone in the area north of the Peace River to Township Road 1104, between Highway 88 and Range Road 152 and west, was told to leave and go to the High Level Rural Hall, located at 100 Avenue in High Level.
STURGEON LAKE CREE NATION AND GREENVIEW
An evacuation order was issued in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the Municipal District of Greenview due to an out-of-control wildfire on the southeast side of Sturgeon Lake.
- Residents in the following areas were told to leave:
- Township Road 731 to 710, from Range Road 245 to Highway 49;
- Range Road 230 to Range Road 251, between Township Road 715 and Township Road 700; and
- Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the Sturgeon Lake area.
Highway 43 was unavailable through Sturgeon Lake so evacuees needed to take other routes.
Those who need help evacuating can call 780-524-3345.
NORTHERN SUNRISE COUNTY
A wildfire southeast of Nampa prompted an evacuation order in Northern Sunrise County Saturday afternoon.
The fire was moving northwest and residents east of Range Road 200 from Township Road 810 to Township Road 830 were told to leave. Evacuees were told to go to the reception centre at the Northern Sunrise County Administration office at 135 Sunrise Road, or call 780-625-6154 to register.
The evacuation did not include the Town of Nampa, but everyone in the surrounding area was told to be ready to leave on short notice.
More information was being posted to the county's Facebook page.
RAINBOW LAKE
An evacuation order was issued for Rainbow Lake due to a wildfire burning on the south side of the lake.
Everyone in Rainbow Lake was told to leave and go to the High Level Arena at 10101 105 Avenue. Beds are available and there is room to park campers.
Evacuees were told to bring identification for a mandatory registration at a checkstop at the Chateh Road turnoff.
"Please be calm, drive safe," the alert read. "There is still time to evacuate safely if you leave now."
THE COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE
An evacuation zone in Grande Prairie County was expanded Saturday afternoon.
All residents from Range Road 65 to Range Road 74, between Township Road 712 and the Wapiti River, were told to leave immediately.
Evacuees were directed to take the nearest range road north to Grande Prairie, where they can register at the Bonnets Energy Centre located at 10017 99 Avenue.
Those who need help evacuating can call 1-825-606-5092.
Updates are being posted to the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership website.
LAC STE. ANNE
Two alerts were active in Lac Ste. Anne, according to the county's website.
One evacuation order was in effect for residents between Township Road 553 and Township Road 560, and between Range Road 51 and Range Road 60.
Everyone in that area must leave immediately, except people north of Lessard Lake.
Evacuees can go to the Mayerthorpe Diamond Centre, at 4918 54 Street in Mayerthorpe.
An evacuation warning was also in effect for everyone north of Township Road 560 to Highway 43, between Range Road 60 to Range Road 53. Residents in the area, including those in Cherhill, are supposed to be ready to leave on short notice.
BIG LAKES COUNTY
As of Saturday afternoon, several evacuation orders had been ordered in Big Lakes County, as a fire in the East Prairie Métis Settlement moved northwest and through the Banana Belt.
The alert is in effect south of Highway 2, east of Range Road 185, north of Township Road 740, west of Range Road 183, and west of Highway 749.
FOX CREEK
An evacuation order was effect for the Town of Fox Creek and the surrounding area.
Everyone near Fox Creek was directed to go to Whitecourt using Highway 43. A reception centre was set up at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre located at 58 Sunset Blvd. and evacuees should register there.
Community support and transportation was available at the Fox Creek Community Hall parking lot. The town said anyone without transportation should go there.
Residents can call 780-622-4412 for assistance.
"It is extremely important that residents evacuate now," a message on the town's website read. "As time goes by fewer resources will be available to assist late-departures."
Information will be posted on the Fox Creek Website and Facebook page.
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