Wildfire live updates: Chipewyan Lake confirms 49 per cent structure loss
While Alberta wildfire activity did not escalate dramatically Tuesday night due in part to cooler weather and some precipitation, temperatures across the province are warming up Wednesday and expected to remain hot into the weekend. Crews are preparing for challenging firefighting conditions after a brief reprieve.
Article content
According to Environment Canada alerts, over 100 communities in the province are under air quality warnings or statements due to wildfire smoke.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario are also blanketed by wildfire smoke causing poor air quality and warnings from the national weather agency.
Article content
Article content
While Alberta's smoke threat is primarily in the northwestern area of the province, sudden changes in weather could move smoke to other areas quickly.
Article content
Parts of the U.S. and Europe are also being affected by Canada's wildfire smoke.
Article content
A fire ban remains in place for northern and central parts of the province's Fire Protection Area, prohibiting wood fires on public or private land. Propane fire pits and barbecues are still allowed.
Article content
As of Wednesday morning, there were 53 fires burning in the province, with 24 of them classified as out of control. Over 490,000 hectares have burned in Alberta so far in 2025.
Article content
Article content
Municipal District of Opportunity Reeve Marcel Auger and Bigstone Cree Nation Chief Andy Alook addressed Albertans on Tuesday to provide an update on the status of Chipewyan Lake fire damage.
Article content
Auger and Alook confirmed 38 structures and nine sheds were lost due to the fire in Chipewyan Lake. 10 other buildings were partially damaged. A further 38 structures are confirmed intact.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
8 hours ago
Air quality in Toronto among worst in the world amid wildfire smoke, global tracker shows
Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Toronto is currently the second most polluted major city in the world as wildfire smoke spreads across the city, according to a global tracker. The ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, puts the city below Santiago, Chile, and above Montreal, which is in third place as it also faces wildfire smoke (new window) from western provinces. As of noon Friday, air quality in Toronto was above 10 on Environment Canada's air quality health index, which means very high risk, according to the weather agency's website. A value between four to six is considered moderate risk, while seven to 10 is high risk, the website reads. Parts of the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities are under a special air quality statement Friday as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, Environment Canada said in a statement early Friday morning. The smoke is expected to last from Friday morning into the early afternoon. The air quality statement is in effect for the following areas: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Newmarket and Georgina. It is also in effect further north for Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale. Environment Canada issued a similar special air quality statement for much of Ontario on Thursday. People are advised to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities or events, the federal weather agency said in Friday's statement. Those who must spend time outdoors are advised to wear a well-constructed, will-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask such as an N95 mask, Environment Canada said. These masks can reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke, but there can still be risks to health, the statement read. When indoors, people are advised to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. A clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system or a certified portable air cleaner may help protect indoor air from wildfire smoke, Environment Canada said. People may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, the federal weather agency said. More serious and less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. People are advised to seek immediate medical assistance if they think they are having a medical emergency. Seniors, pregnant people, infants, young children, people with existing illness or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors are the most likely to be impacted by outdoor health pollution, Environment Canada said. Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, the statement read. Toronto Pearson International Airport said it does not anticipate any impacts to operations as a result of the smoke, in a post on X on Friday. Students can stay inside Friday: TDSB spokesperson Principals at the Toronto District School Board will keep an eye on the air quality health index throughout the day and decide whether to move outdoor recess or activities indoors, said Ryan Bird, a TDSB spokesperson. They may consider moving indoors if the air quality reaches between seven and 10 on the index, he said. Students who wish to stay inside and/or students that are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms will be accommodated, Bird said in an email to CBC Toronto. When the air quality reaches level seven or above, schools will use their existing portable HEPA filter units, keep windows closed and minimize the opening and closing of external doors, he said. If the air quality index reading goes above 10, outdoor physical exertion should be avoided altogether, he said. Rochelle Raveendran (new window) · CBC News
Canada Standard
8 hours ago
- Canada Standard
Wildfire smoke causes poor air quality in major Canadian cities
Xinhua 07 Jun 2025, 01:45 GMT+10 OTTAWA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Ontario and the Prairies of Canada caused poor air quality and reduced visibility in major cities including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on Friday. Environment Canada issued special air quality statements for these areas on Friday, warning that people most likely to suffer health effects from air pollution should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. Environment Canada's David Phillips said on CTV News that as wildfires ramp up across the country, air quality is deteriorating. "What we've seen this week, of course, in Ontario is a lot of that smoke from fires has come south," Phillips said. "Only a few see the flames but millions smell the smoke," he said. According to data from Swiss air quality tracker IQAir, Toronto's air quality was ranked the second worst in the world Friday afternoon.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
Warm, smoggy and rainy weekend forecast for Montreal
Smog obscures the Montreal skyline on June 25, 2023. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press) Montrealers can expect a mix of warmth and showers this weekend, as daytime highs in the mid-twenties continue. A low of 17 degrees Celcius Friday night could move to a high of 26 degrees on Saturday. Smoggy skies in the greater Montreal area are also expected to improve. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has a special weather statement in effect for the region. It notes poor air quality and reduced visibility, due to smoke from wildfires in the Prairies. montreal smog However, Montrealers could have sun and clouds by Saturday afternoon. For Saturday night, a low of 14 degrees is expected ahead of more sun and clouds with a high of 25 degrees on Sunday. Sunday could also bring showers. There is a 60 per cent chance that roughly 3 millimetres could hit the area. Montrealers may want their rain gear ready for next week as well. There is also a 70 per cent chance that showers could start the week.
