Latest news with #EmergencyAlert
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Wildfires erupt near northern Alberta oil well sites
Article content Hot weather sparked a string of wildfires around Alberta over the weekend, including some near oil and gas wells operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and others. Article content Article content Three out-of-control fires were burning in Alberta at noon Monday, including a 1,606-hectare blaze that prompted an emergency alert for the town of Swan Hills. That fire, burning eight kilometres from the town, is less than half a kilometre away from a CNRL-operated well site and within 20 kilometres of separate well sites operated by CNRL and other companies. Article content Canadian Natural didn't respond to a message seeking comment left late Sunday. Alberta Wildfire didn't respond to a phone call seeking comment. Article content An evacuation notice has been issued for Swan Hills, with residents in affected areas advised to prepare for a possible evacuation by gathering pets, important documents, medication and enough food, water and supplies for at least three days as well as adding fuel to vehicles. Article content This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. The Town of Swan Hills has updated a wildfire alert. A wildfire is burning 8 km North of the Town of Swan Hills. A one hour evacuation notice has now been put in place for the Town of Swan Hills. Everyone in the affected area should prepare… — Alberta Emergency Alert (@AB_EmergAlert) May 26, 2025 Article content Earlier this month, the province cancelled a planned Emergency Alert test due to increased wildfire activity. The alert has been used frequently to announce fires and evacuations in northern Alberta communities including Sturgeon County, Yellowhead County, Athabasca County, Parkland County, Hamlet of Fawcett and the Summer Village of Larkspur. Article content Article content Other communities, including the Village of Boyle and Thorhild County, issued local state of emergencies in May as a result of fast-moving and out-of-control fires. Article content Wildfire expert and professor at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Mike Flannigan, has warned that Alberta's expected dry, hot summer increases potential for a busy fire season. Article content 'The forecast can be wrong, but right now it's supposed to be a hot, dry summer, especially in the south of Alberta,' he said, adding that a hot, dry summer generally means more fire. Article content The Bow Valley or Kananaskis Country is overdue for a big fire at some point, he said. Article content 'I'm not saying it's going to be this year, but I'm saying it's been primed for some time and one of these days we are going to see a big fire in that corridor,' said Flannigan. Article content Last year's fire in Jasper has experts fearing for a similar catastrophe in Banff. Article content 'It's just so primed to burn, you can't stop it — I don't think Banff has time,' Cliff White, a former Parks Canada forestry scientist, said last summer. Article content A wildfire in the area would be devastating, dwarfing the mega costs of the 2024 Jasper wildfire. Economic devastation would be amplified due to the Bow Valley's much larger population and visitor numbers. Article content That would also mean an increased chance of injuries or deaths of people, along with a bevy of negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, tourism, insurance rates, transportation and commerce, since vital rail lines and the Trans-Canada Highway run right through the area. Article content Wildfires present a regular threat to the province's oil and gas production, typically from March through October. Fort McMurray, the largest population center near Alberta's massive oilsands operations, was heavily damaged by a blaze in 2016 that forced thousands to evacuate and temporarily shut more than one million barrels of daily oil output.
The Province
06-05-2025
- Climate
- The Province
B.C. emergency alert system will be tested Wednesday afternoon
Don't freak out if your phone goes off just before 2 p.m. on May 7. It's only a test B.C. residents should receive a test emergency alert at 1:55 p.m. on May 7. Photo by Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press Relax: This is a test. This is only a test. 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. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 On Wednesday, May 7, at precisely 1:55 p.m., British Columbia residents will receive an emergency alert on cellphone, TV and radio in a twice-yearly test of the national warning system. (The other test is scheduled for November.) It's part of Emergency Preparedness Week and the national public alerting system, a collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments and their industry partners. Anyone with a compatible cellphone — it must be connected to an LTE cellular network to work, and it can't be in 'do not disturb' or airplane mode — will be sent a message that reads: 'This is a TEST of the B.C. Emergency Alert system. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would tell you what to do to stay safe. This information could save your life. Click for more info: This is ONLY a TEST. No action is required.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The alert will also interrupt radio and television broadcasts at the set time, said the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness in a news release. The test is designed to 'assess the system's readiness for an actual emergency and identify any required adjustments.' The real alerts aim to 'rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards and threats to life and safety.' B.C. first launched its emergency alert system in April 2018. In 2022, the alerts were expanded beyond tsunami warnings to include imminent threats from flood, wildfires and extreme-heat emergencies. Last year, the federal government launched an earthquake early-warning system in B.C. In the event of a quake that meets an established threshold, the system automatically issues an 'intrusive alert message' to cellphones in areas that might be affected. Ideally, it is triggered before strong shaking is felt, providing 'precious seconds of warning for people to better protect themselves and others.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for sending alerts to cellphones for tornados, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and storm surges. Police are in charge of alerts for civil emergencies and Amber Alerts. In both the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, tens of thousands of people were asked to evacuate on short notice as wildfires threatened their communities. 'B.C. emergency alerts were an important tool to provide people with timely, life-saving information,' said the ministry. Anyone interested in doing a short online survey to let system administrators know how it worked can do so in English or French. More information about emergency alerts in B.C. and what to do in a real one is available at Tips on creating a plan in a real emergency are at jruttle@ Read More Health Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Crime News
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
B.C. emergency alert system will be tested Wednesday afternoon
Relax: This is a test. This is only a test. On Wednesday, May 7, at precisely 1:55 p.m., British Columbia residents will receive an emergency alert on cellphone, TV and radio in a twice-yearly test of the national warning system. (The other test is scheduled for November.) It's part of Emergency Preparedness Week and the national public alerting system, a collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments and their industry partners. Anyone with a compatible cellphone — it must be connected to an LTE cellular network to work, and it can't be in 'do not disturb' or airplane mode — will be sent a message that reads: ADVERTISEMENT 'This is a TEST of the B.C. Emergency Alert system. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would tell you what to do to stay safe. This information could save your life. Click for more info: This is ONLY a TEST. No action is required.' The alert will also interrupt radio and television broadcasts at the set time, said the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness in a news release. The test is designed to 'assess the system's readiness for an actual emergency and identify any required adjustments.' The real alerts aim to 'rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards and threats to life and safety.' B.C. first launched its emergency alert system in April 2018. In 2022, the alerts were expanded beyond tsunami warnings to include imminent threats from flood, wildfires and extreme-heat emergencies. Last year, the federal government launched an earthquake early-warning system in B.C. In the event of a quake that meets an established threshold, the system automatically issues an 'intrusive alert message' to cellphones in areas that might be affected. Ideally, it is triggered before strong shaking is felt, providing 'precious seconds of warning for people to better protect themselves and others.' ADVERTISEMENT Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for sending alerts to cellphones for tornados, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and storm surges. Police are in charge of alerts for civil emergencies and Amber Alerts. In both the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, tens of thousands of people were asked to evacuate on short notice as wildfires threatened their communities. 'B.C. emergency alerts were an important tool to provide people with timely, life-saving information,' said the ministry. Anyone interested in doing a short online survey to let system administrators know how it worked can do so in English or French. More information about emergency alerts in B.C. and what to do in a real one is available at Tips on creating a plan in a real emergency are at jruttle@
Vancouver Sun
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. emergency alert system will be tested Wednesday afternoon
Relax: This is a test. This is only a test. On Wednesday, May 7, at precisely 1:55 p.m., British Columbia residents will receive an emergency alert on cellphone, TV and radio in a twice-yearly test of the national warning system . (The other test is scheduled for November.) It's part of Emergency Preparedness Week and the national public alerting system, a collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments and their industry partners. Anyone with a compatible cellphone — it must be connected to an LTE cellular network to work, and it can't be in 'do not disturb' or airplane mode — will be sent a message that reads: Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'This is a TEST of the B.C. Emergency Alert system. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would tell you what to do to stay safe. This information could save your life. Click for more info: . This is ONLY a TEST. No action is required.' The alert will also interrupt radio and television broadcasts at the set time, said the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness in a news release. The test is designed to 'assess the system's readiness for an actual emergency and identify any required adjustments.' The real alerts aim to 'rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards and threats to life and safety.' B.C. first launched its emergency alert system in April 2018. In 2022, the alerts were expanded beyond tsunami warnings to include imminent threats from flood, wildfires and extreme-heat emergencies. Last year, the federal government launched an earthquake early-warning system in B.C. In the event of a quake that meets an established threshold, the system automatically issues an 'intrusive alert message' to cellphones in areas that might be affected. Ideally, it is triggered before strong shaking is felt, providing 'precious seconds of warning for people to better protect themselves and others.' Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for sending alerts to cellphones for tornados, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and storm surges. Police are in charge of alerts for civil emergencies and Amber Alerts. In both the 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons, tens of thousands of people were asked to evacuate on short notice as wildfires threatened their communities. 'B.C. emergency alerts were an important tool to provide people with timely, life-saving information,' said the ministry. Anyone interested in doing a short online survey to let system administrators know how it worked can do so in English or French . More information about emergency alerts in B.C. and what to do in a real one is available at . Tips on creating a plan in a real emergency are at . jruttle@
Toronto Sun
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Residents ordered to evacuate as fire burns near Grande Prairie
Published May 04, 2025 • 1 minute read The Fish Creek wildfire burns near Fort St. John, B.C., in this Thursday, May 1, 2025, handout photo. A fire across the border with Alberta has also forced evacuations in Grande Prairie, Alta. Photo by B.C. Wildfire Service / THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. — An evacuation has been ordered on the outskirts of a northern Alberta city due to a wildfire. 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 The County of Grande Prairie says in a statement that crews are evacuating homes within proximity of a fire southwest of the City of Grande Prairie. It said late Sunday afternoon that the fire was past a lake located north of Deer Ridge Estates, and that people are being ordered to leave the semi-rural neighbourhood as a precaution. Read More An Alberta Emergency Alert has been issued ordering people to evacuate immediately and to gather important documents, medication and medical devices and go to the Pomeroy Hotel in Grande Prairie. The province says firefighters, heavy equipment and airtankers are on-scene working to contain the spread of the wildfire. It says the fire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area remains very high at this time. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Maple Leafs Sports Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs World
