Smoke on EWF031 on May 6, 2023 at 5.00 p.m.. (PHOTO: Alberta Wildfire)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Province says over 29,000 people evacuated due to wildfires

May 7, 2023 | 7:53 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Provincial government officials say more than 29,000 individuals have been evacuated from communities throughout north and central Alberta.

Those evacuated due to wildfires are asked to register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.

Officials provided another update on the wildfire situation on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Current situation

• Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency. Visit alberta.ca/emergency for information or call 310-4455.
• Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for the following areas. Please check alberta.ca/emergency or download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app for complete information:
  • 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.
• 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.
• Eighteen declared states of local emergency and two band council resolutions include:
  • Big Lakes County
  • Brazeau County
  • Clear Hills County
  • Clearwater County
  • Drayton Valley
  • Town of Edson
  • MD of Fairview
  • Fox Creek
  • Gift Lake Metis Settlement
  • County of Grande Prairie
  • Town of High Prairie
  • Northern Sunrise County
  • East Prairie Metis Settlement
  • Saddle Hills County
  • Lac St. Anne County
  • Parkland County
  • Rainbow Lake
  • Yellowhead County
  • The Little Red River Cree Nation (Fox Lake) has declared a band council resolution
  • Whitefish Lake First Nation has declared a band council resolution

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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.
  • 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.

Fire bans and other restrictions

• Unusually warm, dry weather and strong winds mean it is easier for a wildfire to start and spread.
• As a result of these conditions, the entire province is under a fire ban. No open burning is allowed, including backyard fire pits, inside the Forest Protection Area. Alberta Parks and many municipalities and communities have ordered their own bans and restrictions. For more information, visit albertafirebans.ca.
• A provincial off-highway vehicle restriction is also in place, which means the recreational use of off-highway vehicles on public land, including on designated OHV trails, is prohibited.

Wildfire activity updates

• There are currently 109 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, 28 of which are classified as out of control.
  • Information on all wildfires is on the Alberta Wildfire dashboard and the Alberta Wildfire app.

Travel

• There are multiple road closures and advisories for north and central Alberta.
• Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

Health

• 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.
• EMS and zones continue to be fully engaged to ensure the safe transport and care of all patients/residents. Other zones and provincial programs are assisting with reception centres and ensuring availability of spaces/equipment as needed.
• Alberta Health Services is deploying mobile air quality monitoring, as multiple communities are reporting high levels of smoke and ash residue.
• Residents affected by the wildfires who have health care-related questions and are looking for up-to-date information about the wildfires or health care resources, should visit the Alberta Health Services Wildfire Resources webpage.
• For non-emergency health advice, including information on their health care options, residents should call Health Link at 811.

Justice

• Due to the wildfire evacuation of Evansburg, Evansburg court sittings on Monday, May 8 have been relocated to Stony Plain.
• The Drayton Valley circuit court is within the Town of Drayton Valley’s evacuation order. The next sitting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16.

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.

Alberta Emergency Alerts

• For up-to-the-minute Alberta Emergency Alert information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert.
• Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

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 most critical items can be sourced locally and monetary donations can be used to support vulnerable populations and be targeted to mental health initiatives in support of evacuees.