EDMONTON – WILDFIRE UPDATE – Alberta’s government is requesting assistance from the Government of Canada to ensure all resources are brought to bear on this situation.
The Municipal District of Bighorn has issued an evacuation order for a part of the municipal district.
Evacuations for Jasper and Jasper National Park are ongoing, and evacuees are being supported at reception centres in Calgary, Grande Prairie and Edmonton. The impact of the fires in Jasper will seriously impact the tourist season in this popular resort town.
Tornado advisory:
- Environment Canada issued an advisory at 2:27 p.m. for communities between Calgary and Wetaskiwin.
- Tornado advisories are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.
- Full details of the alert are available on Alberta Emergency Alerts.
Evacuation orders and alerts:
- The Municipal District of Bighorn issued an evacuation order for the area east of Highway 40 and west of the Ghost Public Land Access Point on the evening of July 23. A reception centre is available at the Water Valley Community Hall.
- An evacuation alert is also in effect for the surrounding area.
- An evacuation order for all residents, workers and visitors in the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park remains in effect. Reception centres in Grande Prairie, Calgary and Edmonton are providing support to evacuees:
- Grande Prairie reception centre: Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Avenue.
- Calgary reception centre: Shouldice Arena, 1515 Home Road NW.
- Edmonton reception centre: Kennedale Site Building #2, 12814 58 Street.
- Evacuation orders for Little Red River Cree Nation (John D’or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River) remain in effect.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake is still in place.
- The Hamlet of Janvier remains on evacuation alert. Residents do not have to evacuate but should be prepared to leave on short notice. The neighbouring community, Janvier 194, which is part of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, remains on evacuation order.
- Responses are being led by the local authorities in partnership with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and Alberta Wildfire. AEMA, First Nations, regional field officers and emergency social services are on hand to provide support.
- Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
- Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
- Evacuees can also call the Government of Alberta contact Centre at 310-4455 for assistance.
Current situation
- Alberta’s government is requesting assistance from the Government of Canada to ensure all resources are brought to bear on this situation. Supports requested include firefighting and wildfire mitigation resources to reduce the risk to homes, businesses, critical infrastructure and communities.
- The estimated number of evacuees provincewide is more than 17,500.
- This number is limited to people who are displaced from their residence or who need supports. There were an estimated 25,000 people in Jasper National Park at the time of the evacuation order, but the vast majority of these people were visitors with other places to return to.
- Evacuees should register online or at a reception centre.
- Evacuation orders are currently in effect for:
- The Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park;
- All three communities in the Little Red River Cree Nation (John D’or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River);
- Chipewyan Lake; and
- Janvier 194 (Chipewyan Prairie First Nation).
- Evacuation alerts are currently in effect for:
- The Hamlet of Janvier; and
- The Municipal District of Bighorn.
- There are 177 wildfires currently burning across Alberta.
- Of these wildfires, 59 are classified as out of control, 54 are being held and 64 are under control.
- Since Tuesday, there have been 17 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area.
- The response is focused on the wildfires that pose a direct threat to human life, communities, critical infrastructure and major industrial facilities.
- An out-of-control wildfire (CWF507) is burning about 25 kilometres west of Water Valley.
- This wildfire, detected on July 22 and currently 85 hectares in size, was caused by lightning.
- The MD of Bighorn issued an evacuation order for the immediate area.
- The Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park remain under an evacuation order due to a wildfire burning in Jasper National Park.
- The wildfire is under Parks Canada jurisdiction.
- Alberta’s government is providing personnel, helicopters and airtankers.
- Semo Complex Fire (HWF061) is classified as out of control at more than 96,000 hectares in size.
- It is approximately 2.2 kilometres from Highway 58, 13 kilometres northwest of Garden River, eight kilometres northeast of John D’Or Prairie and 4.2 kilometres from Fox Lake.
- Little Red River Cree Nation remains under a state of local emergency and evacuation orders are in effect for the Garden River, John D’Or and Fox Lake communities.
- Wildfire SWF120 is classified as out of control. It is located about 20 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lake and is more than 12,600 hectares in size.
- An evacuation order remains in effect for Chipewyan Lake and surrounding areas.
- The Kettle River Complex, which includes wildfire LWF136, is located approximately 12 kilometres north of the community of Janvier and three kilometres from Highway 881.
- It is estimated at 500 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.
- An evacuation alert is still in effect for residents of Janvier.
- Wildfire smoke may be affecting visibility on highway 881. Visit 511 Alberta for details.
- Since January 1, there have been 957 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning nearly 540,000 hectares.
- Alberta currently has nearly 1,900 personnel, 156 helicopters and 21 aircraft responding to wildfires across the province.
- In addition to provincial resources, Alberta has imported firefighters, support staff, and equipment from other jurisdictions to support wildfire response and suppression efforts.
- Although lightning has caused more than half of wildfires burning today, the other half are caused by people. Albertans are urged to prevent any additional fire starts that will add to the already extreme wildfire situation.
- Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Fire bans
- A fire ban is in place for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
- For information on activities prohibited under this ban, visit alberta.ca/fire-bans.
- Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands, such as national parks, are exempt from this ban.
- These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.
- Albertans should visit their local municipality’s website or social media to confirm if a fire ban is in effect in their area.
- All Albertans have a role to play in wildfire prevention. Albertans must follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
Air quality
- Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta. The combination of heat and very poor air quality due to smoke will increase the risk to your health, especially when taking part in strenuous activity. Visit the wildfire smoke information page for air quality monitoring information to protect your health and make informed decisions about outdoor activities.
- Wildfire smoke can cause a variety of symptoms or health effects that can range in severity. Milder and more common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- headaches
- a mild cough
- production of mucus
- nose, throat, eye and sinus irritation
- In many cases, these symptoms can be managed without medical intervention.
- Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Getting involved in wildfire response
- We’ve heard from Albertans who are eager to support wildfire operations near their communities, and we’re providing opportunities to do so through the Wildfire Reservist Program.
- If you’re interested in lending a hand, learn more at alberta.ca
Eligible for Emergency Evacuation Payments
- Evacuees from Janvier 194 (part of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation) as well as Chipewyan Lake have been under a mandatory evacuation for seven days and may now be eligible for emergency evacuation payments.
- Applications open on July 25 and evacuees are encouraged to apply online at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca.
- Staff at any Alberta Supports centre can provide support to applicants. Alberta Supports centres in Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche and Edmonton (Northgate) will be open from 8:15 a.m. until 7 p.m. on July 25 and 26 to process applications.
- The Alberta Supports Contact Centre (1-877-644-9992) provides information and can assist callers with online applications. The contact centre will offer extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 27 and 28.
- The registration centre for Chipewyan Lake is located at Wabasca Lakeview Sports Centre at 102 Opportunity Drive.
- The distribution centres are located at the Wabasca Inn at 1090, Highway 813 in Wabasca from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the Alberta Supports centre in Slave Lake at 108, 101 3 Street SW.
Support for Evacuees
- Evacuees can access any Alberta Supports office from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, for assistance. Alberta Supports office locations are available at alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
- The Alberta Supports Centres in Hinton, Edson and Grande Prairie are open from 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 24-26.
- Evacuees in need of immediate emergency financial assistance as they leave their community can contact the Income Support Emergency Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.
- Individuals who are part of a mandatory evacuation order exceeding a minimum of seven days may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,250 for each adult and an additional $500 for each child under the age of 18.
- People who left their home community, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, are not eligible for payment.
Roads and highways
511 Alberta remains the best source of information as conditions change on our highways. Visit 511.alberta.ca.
Highway 63/881:
- Highways 63 and 881 remain open in both directions to all traffic.
Highway 16 and Highway 93 closures:
- Highway 93 North is closed to all traffic at the Saskatchewan Crossing.
- Highway 16, from the B.C. border is closed to incoming traffic in Jasper National Park due to wildfire operations. No estimated time of reopening is available at this time. Traffic is permitted to leave Jasper westbound.
Highway 58 closure:
- Highway 58 remains closed at Range Road 112, approximately 15 kilometres east of Boyer.
- RCMP are restricting access to the area with the exception of water trucks and emergency personnel. Westbound Highway 58 remains open for evacuees leaving the area. It is strongly recommended for motorists to reduce their speed to 60 km/h.
- Water trucks and graders continue to reduce dust to improve visibility.
Highway 579 and 40/734 (Forestry Trunk Road)
- Municipal District of Bighorn, Highway 40/734 (Forestry Trunk Road) was closed between the junction with Highway 579 and the Red Deer River, west of Water Valley.
- Municipal District of Bighorn, Highway 579 was closed between Highway 40 and Doc Mills Road (Township Road 294B), west of Water Valley.
- Clearwater County, Highway 40/734 was closed from west of Ram Falls Provincial Park to Pepper Lake Provincial Park.
Emergency Preparedness
- Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now. To be prepared, Albertans need to know what to do, where to go and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
- Read more about emergency preparedness.
Justice
- Due to the evacuation of Jasper, court sittings scheduled for July 25 will be out of the Hinton Courthouse. Appearances may be remote or in person. Contact the Hinton Courthouse at 780-865-8280. Continue to check the website for up-to-date information: https://albertacourts.ca/cj
Health
- AHS safely evacuated 23 patients, including both acute care patients and designated supported living residents, from the Seton Jasper Healthcare Centre. Three were discharged to family and the remainder were evacuated by EMS.
- Patients and designated supported living residents were transported to health care facilities in Edson and Hinton. Two patients were flown to Prince George.
- We are also aware that a seniors’ lodge was evacuated separately.
- AHS has contacted families of those impacted and will continue to provide information as needed.
- AHS has a small frontline healthcare team remaining at the hospital to support people still in the community, as well as emergency responders.
Offers of support
- Any companies, individuals or organizations that would like to offer support to those impacted by the wildfires can email their offers to EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca
