Latest news with #FortSaskatchewanRCMP
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village damaged in Good Friday wildfire
Fire crews east of Edmonton worked to mop up hot spots early Saturday from a wildfire the day earlier that left parts of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in ruins. Lamont County Emergency Services Deputy Regional Fire Chief Scott Calder said Saturday morning that the fire remains under control but that buildings with the site's visitor centre and washrooms were destroyed. 'Due to the winds, (the fire) did spread fairly rapidly, but crews worked pretty hard and tried to get ahead of it as best we could,' he said. 'We didn't want it to get to this point, but we were fighting some pretty astronomical environmental issues.' Calder said he was unaware of other buildings at the site that had been damaged but that Lamont County Emergency Services remained on scene. He said around 30 firefighters helped put out the flames that were first reported around 2 p.m. on Good Friday. He said the initial call came in from south of Highway 16 outside of the park. 'It did spread fairly rapidly,' he said. 'Crews worked pretty hard and tried to get ahead of it as best we could.' Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said the fire started amid dry conditions east of Elk Island National Park, behind the village, about 50 kilometres east of Edmonton. The fire triggered evacuations Friday night, shutting down Highway 16 at the park. Calder said calls for grass or wildfires are likely to become increasingly common in the weeks ahead. 'We would always recommend people to maintain their vegetation around their homes, ensure they don't have too much growing right next to buildings,' he said. 'Keep a clean yard. It's going to help decrease that spread of fire in the event of an accident.' -More to come mblack@ Wildfire burns Ukrainian Cultural Village, shuts Highway at Elk Island National Park, evacuation alert 'Wildfires remain a major concern': Province making preparations for 2025 wildfire season 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.
CBC
19-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire near national park burns buildings at Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Several buildings in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton were burned Friday in a wildfire near Elk Island National Park that prompted a now-cancelled evacuation alert. The wildfire is now considered to be contained, and Highway 16 has reopened in both directions after being closed for several hours. Photos shared by RCMP on Friday show significant damage to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and emergency alert issued at 8:24 p.m. advised residents living near the site to prepare for evacuation as a precaution — but that alert was cancelled at 8:51 p.m.. WATCH: Wildfire burning near Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village: Wildfire east of Edmonton prompts evacuation 2 hours ago Duration 0:21 This video captured by David Czerwinski shows a fast-spreading fire outside Elk Island National Park on Friday night. The flames spread to multiple structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, RCMP say, though the extent of the damages cannot yet be confirmed. RCMP confirmed Friday night that the fire has spread to multiples structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village — an open-air museum depicting life of early settlers and Ukrainian culture. The village contains dozens of historic buildings. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said the situation is evolving rapidly and the extent of the damages cannot yet be confirmed. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said crews will remain fighting what is left of the fire and are asking the public to remain vigilant and avoid any action that could interfere with fire crews. Jay Zaal, spokesperson from Lamont County, said the village's visitor centre has been impacted by the fire, which has now spread to the north side of Highway 16. "Crews are working to contain the fire; high winds are creating challenges as it is too windy for air support," Zaal told CBC by text message shortly after 7:30 p.m. Elk Island National Park and neighbouring Lamont County are currently under a fire restriction. Lamont County Emergency Services responded to the fire around 4 p.m. and called in mutual aid from Strathcona County, Zaal said. A spokesperson for Alberta Wildfire told CBC News the fire falls outside of the province's forest protection area and the regional firefighting agencies have not requested additional help. RCMP said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
