Latest news with #JayZaal
CBC
19-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Historical buildings spared from wildfire that reached Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Social Sharing A Friday wildfire east of Edmonton destroyed or damaged several buildings in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village — none of which were historical structures. The fire near Elk Island National Park jumped Highway 16, and closed the thoroughfare to traffic for several hours. This prompted five households to evacuate out of precaution. But firefighters got the flames under control before they neared those homes, an Alberta RCMP spokesperson told CBC News. Mounties have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage. But Jay Zaal, a spokesperson for Lamont County, where the village is located, told CBC News that four structures were impacted, including the village's visitor centre. Photos shared by RCMP on Friday show significant damage to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. One building pictured had been reduced to rubble. The village — an open-air museum depicting life of early settlers and Ukrainian culture — contains dozens of historic buildings, all of which firefighters were able to protect. But some administrative and operational buildings "were lost," Zaal said. WATCH | Wildfire burning near Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village: Wildfire east of Edmonton damages Ukrainian heritage village 15 hours ago Duration 0:21 Lamont County Emergency Services responded to the fire around 4 p.m. Friday and called in mutual aid from the Strathcona County, Zaal said. Devin Capcara, deputy chief of planning and projects for Strathcona County Emergency Services, confirmed "several crews" were sent to the scene. An Alberta Wildfire spokesperson told CBC News that the fire fell outside the provincial forest protection area, and the regional firefighting agencies did not request help from the agency. Although, according to the RCMP spokesperson, some local farmers used their equipment to help douse the flames once they jumped the highway. RCMP issued an update around 9:45 p.m., saying the fire was deemed under control. The evacuation order was lifted and the highway re-opened to traffic in both directions. Dry weather and heavy winds factored into the hours-long fire fight, Zaal said, adding that the conditions forced air support to stay grounded. An RCMP spokesperson told CBC News around 10 p.m. Friday that it was unclear if the evacuated residents had returned to their homes. In a late-night statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Alberta Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir thanked first responders for their efforts, noting no village staff were onsite and no injuries were reported. She said more information will be shared this weekend. On Saturday morning, crews were still monitoring hot spots in the village and grasslands where the fire started, Zaal said in an email at 8:20 a.m. Elk Island National Park and neighbouring Lamont County are under a fire restriction. RCMP say the fire's cause is still under investigation.
CBC
19-04-2025
- CBC
Wildfire prompts closure of Highway 16 near Elk Island National Park
A wildfire prompted the closure of Highway 16 and a now-cancelled evacuation alert near Elk Island National Park. The fire spread to multiple structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, RCMP said Friday. The grassfire has also prompted the closure of Highway 16 in both directions between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194. As of 9 p.m. the highway is still closed. An emergency alert issued at 8:24 p.m. advised residents living near the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village to prepare for evacuation as a precaution — but that alert was cancelled at 8:51 p.m.. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP are asking the public to avoid the area and find alternate routes. It said the fire, which is located behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, was out-of-control, but is now considered contained. WATCH: Wildfire burning near Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village: Wildfire east of Edmonton prompts evacuation 47 minutes ago Duration 0:21 RCMP confirmed Friday night that the fire has spread to multiple 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. Jay Zaal, spokesperson from Lamont County, said the 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.
