THUNDER BAY – Wild Fire Update – There was one new fire confirmed by the afternoon on May 28. Kenora District Fire Number 30 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located on an island on the Winnipeg River. Kenora District Fire Number 29 and Red Lake District Fire Number 6 are now under control. Red Lake Fire Number 8 is being held. The forest fire hazard is low for most of the region.
Two of the larger fires include Red Lake Fire Number 007, located in Woodland Caribou Park. It is classed as not under control at 600 hectares in size and Red Lake Fire Number 010, also located in Woodland Caribou Park and is now 650 hectares in size. Minimal fire behaviour was reported on active fires after precipitation moved into the region.
Out of Province Alberta Deployment
A three person aerial ignition team has arrived Alberta. There are currently 74 personnel in the Yukon and 129 personnel in Alberta. A 15 person Type 1 Incident Management Team will be deploying to Alberta this week.
Equipment is being shipped to Alberta including 100 pump kits and three thousand lengths of hose.
Alberta Fire update: Thursday, May 28 at 2pm
- In the last 24 hours there have been 22 new wildfires.
- Currently, Alberta has 42 wildfires: 10 are out of control, nine are being held and 23 are under control.
- Since April 1, 728 fires and 29,702 hectares have burned.
- The wildfire outlook in Alberta remains severe through to at least the end of this week.
- The Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the Alberta government are closely monitoring the situation.
- Approximately 1,700 firefighters, 180 helicopters and 28 airtankers are positioned across the province to fight wildfires.
- Another 150 firefighters are being imported from British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Parks Canada. This is in addition to the 130 firefighters imported since last Friday.
Evacuations
- All evacuation orders have been lifted.
- Reception centres are now closed.
- About 4,800 evacuees have returned home.
Air quality
- Air quality in much of the northern regions of the province and the Lethbridge area is being affected by the smoke.
- Alberta Health Services’ Precautionary Air Quality Advisories are in effect for the entire North and Edmonton areas, as well as the Lethbridge area.
- The Cold Lake-specific Air Quality Advisory issued by AHS on May 25 remains in place.
- These advisories alert Albertans to the health concerns and risks associated with smoky air conditions, and advise on important steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
- These advisories will remain in place until further notice.
- Albertans should visit the Alberta Health Services page for the latest information on air quality advisories.
Things to know
- A fire ban remains in effect across Alberta.
- The wildfire outlook in Alberta continues to be severe.
- No campfires or other open fires are permitted in campgrounds or the backcountry.
- We ask that all Albertans listen to the authorities and follow evacuation orders in their communities.
- All Albertans are asked to respect the provincewide fire ban, to listen to emergency officials, and to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app and the Alberta Wildfire app to stay on top of the latest information.
- We encourage Albertans who have been out of their homes to contact their insurance companies right away.
The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program is reminding people that they are responsible for safe outdoor fire management and must follow guidelines set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario including no day burning of brush or grass fires. Campfires are to be tended at all times and put out before leaving.
For further tips on how to be FireSmart, visit ontario.ca/firesmart
For more information about the current fire situation and the active fires map, ontario.ca/forestfire
The Northwest Region Fire Information Hotline is available for general information updates – 1-888-258-8842
