Province working to extract firefighters trapped in northern Alberta as wildfires surge
A crew of eight firefighters are currently trapped in Chipewyan Lake and the province says they're working on a plan to extract them as severe wildfires rage across Alberta.
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In a social media posted late Thursday night, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said at approximately 8:20 p.m. wildland-urban interface crews temporarily lost radio contact while responding to a wildfire in the Chipewyan Lake located 450 km north of Edmonton. One team is currently sheltering at the fire station and another is safe at the school, designated the community's emergency shelter.
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'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke,' Loewen said.
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Loewen said there are also indications of damage to structures in the community, but the full extent remains unknown said Loewen.
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A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Wednesday for the community of Chipewyan Lake forcing residents to flee. There is currently a wildfire threatening the Chip and Alpac Road.
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'We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Please continue to monitor official sources and stay safe,' Loewen said.
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X: @kccindytran
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Toronto Sun
7 days ago
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Province working to extract firefighters trapped in northern Alberta as wildfires surge
'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke' Andrea Franko from Alberta Wildfire uses a drip torch to create controlled burns against wildfires near Saprae Creek south of Fort McMurray on April 24, 2025. A crew of eight firefighters are currently trapped in Chipewyan Lake and the province says they're working on a plan to extract them as severe wildfires rage across Alberta. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a social media posted late Thursday night, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said at approximately 8:20 p.m. wildland-urban interface crews temporarily lost radio contact while responding to a wildfire in the Chipewyan Lake located 450 km north of Edmonton. One team is currently sheltering at the fire station and another is safe at the school, designated the community's emergency shelter. 'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke,' Loewen said. Loewen said there are also indications of damage to structures in the community, but the full extent remains unknown said Loewen. A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Wednesday for the community of Chipewyan Lake forcing residents to flee. There is currently a wildfire threatening the Chip and Alpac Road. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Please continue to monitor official sources and stay safe,' Loewen said. More to come ctran@ X: @kccindytran Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Crime World Olympics Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
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7 days ago
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Province working to extract firefighters trapped in northern Alberta as wildfires surge
A crew of eight firefighters are currently trapped in Chipewyan Lake and the province says they're working on a plan to extract them as severe wildfires rage across Alberta. Article content Article content In a social media posted late Thursday night, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said at approximately 8:20 p.m. wildland-urban interface crews temporarily lost radio contact while responding to a wildfire in the Chipewyan Lake located 450 km north of Edmonton. One team is currently sheltering at the fire station and another is safe at the school, designated the community's emergency shelter. Article content Article content 'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke,' Loewen said. Article content Article content Loewen said there are also indications of damage to structures in the community, but the full extent remains unknown said Loewen. Article content A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Wednesday for the community of Chipewyan Lake forcing residents to flee. There is currently a wildfire threatening the Chip and Alpac Road. Article content 'We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Please continue to monitor official sources and stay safe,' Loewen said. Article content X: @kccindytran Article content Article content Article content
