WILDFIRE UPDATE AS OF 6:30PM, MAY 7/2023

-As of Sunday afternoon, there are 109 active wildfires burning in Alberta, and more than 29-thousand people have been evacuated from their homes because of it. (photo courtesy of Hudson Jackson)

DRONES:

Wildfire Information Officers are asking the public to please refrain from using drones to view active wildfires, as they are forced to ground their water bombers and other air equipment when drones are present.

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Many regions are still under mandatory evacuation orders:

-Parts of Brazeau County, including the town of Drayton Valley. Evacuees should register in Edmonton at the Expo Centre, Hall C, at 7515 118 Avenue.

Parts of Northern Sunrise County.

The entire town of Rainbow Lake. Evacuees should register in High Level at the High Level Arena, at 10101 105 Avenue.

Fox Creek, Little Smoky and surrounding areas. Evacuees should register at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre, at 58 Sunset Boulevard in Whitecourt.

Parts of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the Municipal District of Greenview. Evacuees should register at Memorial Hall, 4808 50 Street in Valleyview.

Parts of the County of Grande Prairie. Evacuees should register at the Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Avenue, Grande Prairie.

Parts of Big Lakes County. Evacuees should register at Elks Rodeo Hall on Highway 749.

Parts of Lac Ste Anne County. Evacuees should register at the Mayerthorpe Diamond Centre, at 4184 54 Street.

Parts of Yellowhead County, including the town of Edson, should register at the Dr. Duncan Murray Rec Centre, at 805 Switzer Drive, Hinton or at the Jasper Fitness & Aquatics Centre, at 305 Bonhomme Street.

The communities of Whitefish River and Aitkameg. Evacuees should register at the Town of Slave Lake office, at 10 Main Street, Slave Lake.

Parkland County and the Hamlet of Entwistle. Evacuees should register at Wabamun Jubilee Hall, at 5132 53 Avenue in Wabamun.

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Residents of the following areas should be prepared to evacuate on short notice:

The Grovesdale area of the Municipal District of Greenview.

The area west of Beaverdam Provincial Recreation Area and east of the Bighorn Dam, including the hamlet of Nordegg.

Parts of the County of Grande Prairie, including the Pipestone Creek area.

The town of High Prairie.

Parts of Wetaskiwin County.

The town of Valleyview.

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Officials with Brazeau County and the town of Drayton Valley say that fire remains out of control, and there’s no timeline for when that’s expected to change.

They do say rumours that claim it’s safe to return are false.

-Officials say unfortunately, four homes have been lost to the fire.

PETS:

-In the meantime, Drayton Valley Enforcement Services says it’s been leading a response to make sure pre-registered animals are being taken care of.

The group is comprised of Peace Officers, bylaw officers, the SPCA, locksmiths and vets, and have cared for more than 1-hundred animals at this point.

Owners who haven’t registered their animals are asked to do so immediately through the town’s Facebook page.

-For people who are currently staying at the Edmonton Expo Centre:

-The city’s Animal Care and Control Centre is providing daytime care of pets, as there are about 13-hundred animals that have been registered at the Reception Centre.

-Donations for the pets displaced by the emergency evacuation of Drayton Valley, can be dropped off at the Edmonton Humane Society 13620 163 Street NW. Donations will be accepted between 9am and 7pm, seven days a week.

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YELLOWHEAD COUNTY RE-ENTRY PLAN:

-Yellowhead County and the town of Edmonton are lifting their evacuation order as of 8am MONDAY morning, but only for the Marlboro to the Chip Lake regions.

This includes the town of Edson, and is because of a shift in the weather and the work of fire crews.

Areas east of Range Road 110 and east of Range Road 101 and south of Township Road 560 are still under evacuation and residents will not be allowed to return.
If you live west of that area, you can go home.

If you are not able to return home due to the evacuation order still in place in some areas of Yellowhead County you can stay at your current location, make other arrangements, or if you have nowhere to go, you can check-in at the Edson Reception Centre to discuss accommodations.

For those still evacuated and returning to the area, please use the reception centre at the Edson and District Leisure Centre (1021 – 49 Street). The Centres in Hinton and Jasper will be closing. For those not able to return to the current evacuated areas you can make

Bussing will be available from the reception centres, taking people back to Edson. Transportation from the drop-off points will also be provided.

Jasper Bus – Assemble at the Jasper Activity Centre at 11:00 a.m., departing at 12:00 p.m.
Hinton Bus – Assemble at Hinton Recreation Centre at 10:00 a.m., departing at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Safety is a priority for re-entry. Please drive safe. We encourage people stagger their re-entry if possible.

A reminder that wildfires may still be active in the area. Please stay prepared for potential changes in the situation. Please check 511.alberta.ca for anyone coming from other areas. Some routes may still be closed.

Both Town and County residents should check utilities on arrival to ensure everything is operational. If you have utility concerns, please contact your service provider as soon as possible.

Services such as grocery services, pharmacies, and gas stations should re-open as soon as possible, but residents need to be prepared for a reduction in service until staff are in place.

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PARKLAND COUNTY:

-Parkland County officials say there was some rain and cooler temperatures in their region on Sunday, but the wildfire is still an issue.
Crews have been working hard to fight it and the good news is that no homes have been damaged by fire.
The evacuation order will remain in place until it’s safe to return.

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Information for evacuees

-Evacuees should register at the reception centre identified for their community so staff can quickly assist them and connect them with the resources they need.

Evacuees with special needs who are unable to stay in an evacuation centre can request emergency financial assistance to cover hotel accommodations.
Special needs could include having a disability, a medical condition or other family needs.

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-Apply for emergency financial assistance by visiting an Alberta Supports Centre or calling the Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135. Information is also available through the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

-Albertans affected by wildfires, including evacuees, can access supports by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

The centre is open from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

-The Income Support Contact Centre is also available 24-7 and provides emergency financial assistance. It can be reached at 1-866-644-5135.

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SCAMS

-If you have been affected by the fires in any way and you receive a text asking for your personal information so you’re able to access services or financial support, block those numbers immediately.

Scams are already making the rounds, and the texts are fake.

Only provide information in-person at whatever Reception Centre you’re at, or go through the provincial system at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.

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-Drayton Valley Hospital has been fully evacuated, with patients/continuing care residents and families being notified of the new location of all patients and continuing care residents.

-Edson Healthcare Centre has been fully evacuated, with patients/continuing care residents and families being notified of the new location of all patients and continuing care residents.

-The Fox Creek Health Centre has been fully evacuated, with patients/continuing care residents and families being notified of the new location of all patients and continuing care residents.

-High Prairie Health Complex has been fully evacuated, with patients/continuing care residents and families being notified of the new location of all patients and continuing care residents.

-Alberta Health Services has issued a boil water advisory for the River Bend Water Co-op in Big Lakes County as a precautionary measure.
The advisory is in place for any remaining water within the water system, and for when water service is restored following wildfire evacuation. Instructions are available on the Alberta Health Services Coping with Emergencies website.

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Agriculture and livestock

-Agricultural societies may have room for livestock evacuated from wildfire areas. Contact the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies.

Evacuated farmers and ranchers:
Can contact the wildfire resource line at 310-4455 with agriculture and livestock-related questions.

Should register at the reception centre identified for their community so staff can quickly assist them and connect them with the resources they need.
May need re-entry permits if they want to go back into an evacuated area to check on livestock and should check with their municipality before entering.

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Donations

-Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice.
Financial donations are preferred for disaster events as they can be used to purchase items immediately needed.

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News

WILDFIRE UPDATE AS OF 6:30PM, MAY 7/2023

DRONES:

PETS:

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