Wildfires Force More People Out Of Their Homes In Northern Alberta
Thursday, May 30th, 2019 Catastrophe PropertyMore people are being forced from their homes as several wildfires rage out-of-control in northern Alberta and blanket areas to the south in an acrid haze.
The Alberta government issued an emergency alert early this morning for Chipewyan Lake Village, about 450 kilometres north of Edmonton.
People were being asked to leave immediately because of a rapidly moving wildfire that threatens to cut off access to the area.
Different fires have forced evacuations from the hamlet of Wabasca, the Bigstone Cree Nation and Northern Lights County.
In the High Level area, about 5,000 people have been out of their homes for more than a week because of a raging fire that won’t stop growing.
It has spread to cover 2,300 square kilometres _ up from 1,500 square kilometres on Wednesday – but crews are still managing to keep the flames out of the town.
“The Chuckegg Creek fire experienced extreme fire behaviour yesterday,” said a Thursday morning update. “Continued hot and dry conditions along with variable, gusty winds have proved a challenge to firefighting efforts and safety.”
The update said the fire grew to the south, west and north.
“There have been no homes or business damaged to date around High Level, but the threat remains,” it said.
High Level Mayor Crystal McAteer, Reeve Josh Knelsen of Mackenzie County and Dene Tha’ First Nation Chief James Ahnassay issued a joint statement late Wednesday on Facebook.
“We know that many of you are very anxious to hear about what is happening with the wildfire and the situation in our communities. Many of you have been out of your homes and away from your work for a long time.” they wrote.
The leaders urged patience.
