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National Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- National Post
Wildfire updates: 25 Alberta blazes deemed out of control Wildfires rage in northeast B.C.
Article content Friday Article content Wildfires of note grow from four to seven in one day Article content As of Friday, the province listed seven wildfires of note, up three from Thursday morning numbers — the Edith Lake wildfire, Red Earth East Complex (made up of a number of wildfires near the community of Chipewyan Lake), a wildfire south of Winefred Lake, a wildfire west of Mercoal, a wildfire east of Peerless Trout First Nation, a wildfire near Whitefish Lake First Nation only 5 kilometres from a nearby highway and a wildfire near Marten Beach. Article content The fire near Marten Beach has crossed the Highway 88 and the roadway has been closed at Highway 754 north of Slave Lake. Article content Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are deployed at all fires of note, with airtankers using retardant drops to build containment lines and some crews using night vision-equipped helicopters to contain fires overnight. Article content Residents of Westlock County and the Loon Lake, Peerless Trout and Dene Tha First Nations were fleeing wildfires after evacuation orders were issued Thursday, as were inhabitants of Red Earth Creek. Article content Underlining the gravity of the situation at Red Earth Creek, Alberta Wildfire officials warned the evacuation route to Peace River on Highway 88 was being menaced by flames 'and the status could change at any moment . . . you may experience smoky conditions on the Highway to Peace River.' Article content Conklin was put on alert for possible evacuation Thursday afternoon, with an out-of-control blaze spreading toward the community. Article content Meanwhile, the Whitefish River Community was also on evacuation notice, due to concern over shifting winds that might cause a nearby wildfire change direction and put residents at risk. Article content About 1,300 residents of Swan Hills evacuated earlier this week to nearby Whitecourt in the face of fires that also disrupted oilfield operations. Article content Other Alberta 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 Alberta Emergency Alert regularly updates its website and X account with ongoing evacuation orders and fire alerts. Article content Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has declared a provincial state of emergency in response to several rapidly spreading wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their northern communities. Article content Moe made the announcement Thursday to begin a wildfire update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Article content 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with …,' Moe told the media. 'There are no resources on the shelf. They're all being deployed to support Saskatchewan.' Article content Following a similar announcement by Manitoba on Wednesday, Saskatchewan became the second province in as many days to declare a state of emergency. Article content As of Thursday, more than 8,300 people from northern Saskatchewan were under evacuation. In Manitoba, that number is 17,000 people — the largest wildfire evacuation in recent memory, according to Premier Wab Kinew. Article content My buddy sent these to me last night... The entire town of Flin Flon, MB 🇨🇦 is now on mandatory evacuation... He has a hunting, outback and fishing business in the direct line of the fire Please send Prayers for everyone affected by the Flin Flon Wildfires 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 — lisahsmithlhs (@lisahsmithlhs) May 28, 2025 Article content B.C. has sent crews and resources to both prairie provinces, as well as Ontario, to assist in fire-fighting efforts, according to the province's Minister of Forests. Article content Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management, Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, has approved Manitoba's request for federal assistance and said crews will assisting with urgent air evacs as well as any other supports needed. Additionally, Olszewski will be meeting with Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Minister of Public Safety, to discuss the response to Saskatchewan's fire situation. Article content With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes. Article content 'This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,' says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province. Article content In Alberta, evacuation orders are also increasing in the northern part of the province as out-of-control fires rage. Article content 'Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions,' CIFFC says. 'Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction is put to use, and international help has been requested.' Article content Article content In Alberta, go to That's where you'll find a wildfire map, dashboard of incidents and forest area updates. In British Columbia, the daily wildfire update is at In Saskatchewan, the active wildifre situation map can be found here and reports on bans along with fire bulletins are here. In Manitoba, wildfire information, reports and updates are here. Article content What do the different wildfire statuses mean? Article content Turned over: Alberta Wildfire says a wildfire is 'turned over' when a fire that is under control is given to another agency to extinguish it. Mutual aid: If a fire is a 'mutual aid wildfire,' it's a wildfire that has started in a municipal district and that district's firefighters may need help fighting it from Alberta Wildfire. Under control: If firefighters and equipment have successfully managed a fire to make sure it won't grow, it's classified as being 'under control.' Being held: Based on expected weather and the resources already fighting a particular fire, a fire that is 'being held' means it's not expected to spread. Out of control: A wildfire is growing, or expected to grow, and thus its status is one of being out of control. Source: Government of Alberta Article content How can I help prevent wildfires? Article content The number of wildfires caused by humans vs. lightning strikes has varied over the years, but Natural Resources Canada reports that in 2023 lightning caused about 50 per cent of all fires. Those fires, however, represented, about 85 per cent of the annual area consumed by flames. Article content When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don't start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night. If you're in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels. Article content Rules for everyone? Don't flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle's window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks. Article content
National Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- National Post
Western Canada wildfires: 26 Alberta blazes deemed out of control, some oilsands sites emptying
Article content Article content Friday Article content As of Friday, the province listed seven wildfires of note, up three from Thursday morning numbers — the Edith Lake wildfire, Red Earth East Complex (made up of a number of wildfires near the community of Chipewyan Lake), a wildfire south of Winefred Lake, a wildfire west of Mercoal, a wildfire east of Peerless Trout First Nation, a wildfire near Whitefish Lake First Nation only 5 kilometres from a nearby highway and a wildfire near Marten Beach. Article content The fire near Marten Beach has crossed the Highway 88 and the roadway has been closed at Highway 754 north of Slave Lake. Article content Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are deployed at all fires of note, with airtankers using retardant drops to build containment lines and some crews using night vision-equipped helicopters to contain fires overnight. Article content Residents of Westlock County and the Loon Lake, Peerless Trout and Dene Tha First Nations were fleeing wildfires after evacuation orders were issued Thursday, as were inhabitants of Red Earth Creek. Article content Underlining the gravity of the situation at Red Earth Creek, Alberta Wildfire officials warned the evacuation route to Peace River on Highway 88 was being menaced by flames 'and the status could change at any moment . . . you may experience smoky conditions on the Highway to Peace River.' Article content Conklin was put on alert for possible evacuation Thursday afternoon, with an out-of-control blaze spreading toward the community. Article content Meanwhile, the Whitefish River Community was also on evacuation notice, due to concern over shifting winds that might cause a nearby wildfire change direction and put residents at risk. Article content About 1,300 residents of Swan Hills evacuated earlier this week to nearby Whitecourt in the face of fires that also disrupted oilfield operations. Article content Other Alberta 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 Thursday Article content Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has declared a provincial state of emergency in response to several rapidly spreading wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their northern communities. Article content Moe made the announcement Thursday to begin a wildfire update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Article content 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with …,' Moe told the media. 'There are no resources on the shelf. They're all being deployed to support Saskatchewan.' Article content Following a similar announcement by Manitoba on Wednesday, Saskatchewan became the second province in as many days to declare a state of emergency. Article content As of Thursday, more than 8,300 people from northern Saskatchewan were under evacuation. In Manitoba, that number is 17,000 people — the largest wildfire evacuation in recent memory, according to Premier Wab Kinew. Article content My buddy sent these to me last night... The entire town of Flin Flon, MB 🇨🇦 is now on mandatory evacuation... He has a hunting, outback and fishing business in the direct line of the fire Please send Prayers for everyone affected by the Flin Flon Wildfires 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 — lisahsmithlhs (@lisahsmithlhs) May 28, 2025 Article content B.C. has sent crews and resources to both prairie provinces, as well as Ontario, to assist in fire-fighting efforts, according to the province's Minister of Forests. Article content Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management, Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, has approved Manitoba's request for federal assistance and said crews will assisting with urgent air evacs as well as any other supports needed. Additionally, Olszewski will be meeting with Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Minister of Public Safety, to discuss the response to Saskatchewan's fire situation. Article content We have an update on @BCGovFireInfo support for our neighbours out East: We are deploying another 50+ BCWS fighters to Manitoba, in addition to the nearly 100 in Ontario. We're also sending resources to Saskatchewan, in response to wildfire activity. #TeamCanada #BCWS — Ravi Parmar (@rparmar_BC) May 29, 2025 Article content Article content With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes. Article content 'This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,' says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province. Article content In Alberta, evacuation orders are also increasing in the northern part of the province as out-of-control fires rage. Article content 'Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions,' CIFFC says. 'Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction is put to use, and international help has been requested.' Article content Article content In Alberta, go to That's where you'll find a wildfire map, dashboard of incidents and forest area updates. In British Columbia, the daily wildfire update is at In Saskatchewan, the active wildifre situation map can be found here and reports on bans along with fire bulletins are here. In Manitoba, wildfire information, reports and updates are here. Article content What do the different wildfire statuses mean? Article content Turned over: Alberta Wildfire says a wildfire is 'turned over' when a fire that is under control is given to another agency to extinguish it. Mutual aid: If a fire is a 'mutual aid wildfire,' it's a wildfire that has started in a municipal district and that district's firefighters may need help fighting it from Alberta Wildfire. Under control: If firefighters and equipment have successfully managed a fire to make sure it won't grow, it's classified as being 'under control.' Being held: Based on expected weather and the resources already fighting a particular fire, a fire that is 'being held' means it's not expected to spread. Out of control: A wildfire is growing, or expected to grow, and thus its status is one of being out of control. Source: Government of Alberta Article content How can I help prevent wildfires? Article content The number of wildfires caused by humans vs. lightning strikes has varied over the years, but Natural Resources Canada reports that in 2023 lightning caused about 50 per cent of all fires. Those fires, however, represented, about 85 per cent of the annual area consumed by flames. Article content When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don't start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night. Article content If you're in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels. Article content Rules for everyone? Don't flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle's window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks. Article content
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Northern Alberta woman hopes to reunite with family soon after mandatory wildfire evacuation
A group of 16 firefighters had to be rescued in Alberta near the Red Earth Creek wildfire after losing radio contact. Kathy Le has more. Tumultuous weather in parts of Alberta over the last 24 hours sparked new wildfires and fanned existing ones already out of control, prompting more mandatory evacuations. The Hubert Lake wildfire forced hundreds of residents in Westlock County, located in central Alberta, from their homes Thursday evening. Residents fled to Westlock, where they could find shelter in several hotels. At the Westlock Inn, Sherry Walker had already taken up residence since Wednesday, when her community of Red Earth Creek was evacuated. 'Well, it was kind of a hectic night,' said Walker. Walker was already in Westlock for an appointment prior to the evacuations. While she stayed put, she anxiously waited for updates from her family at home as her husband and grandchildren made their way out of the community. 'Trying to get them all out from being here, you know, saying, 'what should we pack? What should we do?'' As Walker kept in constant contact with her loved ones, who ended up going to Peace River, she watched as new evacuees arrived from Westlock county. Only a handful of people registered at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre on Thursday evening. Geraldine Hensch and her family were among those looking for a place to stay. Hensch says her son is a firefighter in their community. He told them in advance to be prepared to leave. 'We kind of knew to get ready ahead of time,' said Hensch. 'We had to move our cattle, move all of our equipment and everything, try to find some open spaces and stuff like that.' Their home is surrounded by the boreal forest, but she's hopeful the flames won't get too close. 'But living where we live, you kind of know it's a risk,' she said. 'And then like once they hit once, sometimes it seems like now you're worried about getting hit again.' Mandatory evacuations were also issued for people in the community of Chateh and Yellowhead County Thursday evening. Wade Williams, mayor of Yellowhead county, says the wildfire was one kilometre from the Hamlet of Peers. 'We do the best we can to get in on these as quick as we can and to get them under control,' said Williams. 'Mother Nature sometimes has different ideas.' The hot temperatures followed by a thunderstorm that brought wind gusts up to 100 km/h Thursday night sparked new wildfires and fanned others. As of Friday afternoon, there were 55 wildfires burning in Alberta and more than half are out of control. The Edith Lake wildfire that forced the evacuation of the town of Swan Hills on Monday night has more than doubled its size in the last 24 hours. Derrick Forsythe, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire, says Friday temperatures were cooler, but conditions were still not ideal. 'The winds are going to be gusting along the Saskatchewan border up to 60 km/h, and there could be gusts of up to 50 (km/h) throughout the rest of the western boreal,' said Forsythe. 'So, I mean, there's still going to be challenging conditions in some places as the day goes on.' Alberta Wildfire says out of province resources have been called to help because of the rising number of wildfires. In Chipewyan Lake, another northern Alberta community that was evacuated on Wednesday due to the threatening Red Earth East Wildfire complex, a group of firefighters found themselves in an even more challenging situation. James Gault, president of the northeast region of AUPE, confirms 16 of them temporarily lost radio contact Thursday night. 'The helicopters that were supposed to go in to get them were unable to land due to smoke, which is a common occurrence when the smoke is too heavy,' said Gault. However, the road was accessible, and crews were able to drive in to rescue them. In a social media post, emergency management for the area said that preliminary reports indicate there is structure loss in the community of Lake Chipewyan. Adding that 'an assessment of the community will be conducted once clearance of safety is received.' As the Red Earth East wildfire complex rages on, and mandatory evacuations remain in place, Walker waits to hear word about when it will be safe to return to her community. 'I checked with my daughter. She's a firefighter up there, and I asked her, '(is there) any sign of going back?' And she said, 'no, not yet.' And the power's out there now.' Walker's plan now is to leave Westlock and risk to drive to Peace River where her family is.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
3 more northern Alta. communities evacuated because of wildfires overnight
Wildfire flames turn the sky red near Loon River First Nation in northern Alberta in the early morning of May 29, 2025. (Credit: Tony Noskeyi) Alberta's wildfire situation escalated over Wednesday night. Four northern communities were evacuated, starting with Chipewyan Lake at 5 p.m. Then, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., the province evacuated Red Earth Creek, Peerless Trout First Nation, and Loon River First Nation. Near the lakes that share a name with these communities – Loon Lake, Trout Lake and Chipewyan Lake – is what authorities have named the Red Earth East wildfire complex, which consists of 10 different wildfires. 'I noticed the smoke in our area so it got me thinking that maybe we're going to be evacuated because Peerless (Trout First Nation) was evacuated. So it just made sense that we were going to be next,' Loon River resident Matthew Letendre told CTV News Edmonton early Thursday morning at the Edmonton hotel his family was staying at. 'It just happened fast. We were driving to Slave (Lake) and then we passed that fire that was there. We actually saw the flames from that fire. It kind of hit us right there.' Heavy equipment, airtankers and helicopters have been assigned to help the Red Earth East firefight. As of Thursday morning, 44 wildfires were burning in Alberta, up from 34 on Tuesday. This is a breaking news story. More to come…
