Latest news with #LamontCountyEmergencyServices
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
- 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.
CBC
19-04-2025
- CBC
Wildfire prompts evacuation, closure of Highway 16 near Elk Island National Park
Some residents north of Highway 16 near Elk Island National Park have been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire that has spread to multiple structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. 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. An emergency alert issued at 8:24 p.m. advises residents living near the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village to prepare for evacuation as a precaution. 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, has started to spread and is not considered under control. Evacuations have begun for residents on Range Road 195, north of Highway 16, RCMP said. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP advise that anyone living in the area who is not yet affected by the evacuation, should prepare an evacuation kit should the fire spread further. WATCH: Wildfire burning near Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village: Wildfire east of Edmonton prompts evacuation 7 minutes 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 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. 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.
