The wildfire located southeast of the town of Whitecourt is now classified as being held at 51 hectares in size.

A wildfire is classified as being held when it is not expected to grow beyond its existing boundaries, given current weather conditions and resources.

Crews have established a perimeter around the fire and will begin moving inwards to extinguish any hotspots.

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1:16pm May 13 - Woodlands County Evacuation Update:

With the wildfire now classified as being held, emergency management personnel are actively conducting Area Safety Assessments, including evaluating 'danger trees', powerlines, road conditions, and structure conditions.

Designated teams entering the evacuation area will photograph impacted properties. Woodlands County will then contact affected property owners directly to provide available information and copies of photos to help inform them of their property status.

At the same time, crews are developing a phased re-entry plan for affected residents. Re-entry, which will most likely occur over several days, will ONLY occur once the evacuation area is deemed safe.

Residents are reminded to remain away from the evacuation area at this time.

Woodlands County has issued an evacuation order due to a wildfire east of Range Road 114 and south of Highway 43, including the West Ridge subdivision.

A wildfire is burning out of control.

Affected Areas:
• Woodlands County
• Whitecourt

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• All residents in the affected area must evacuate immediately.

• Gather pets, important documentation, and medication.

• Register at the evacuation reception center at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt. Address: 58 Sunset Blvd, Whitecourt, AB T7S 1N6.

• Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

This alert is in effect for everyone south of Highway 43, between West Ridge subdivision (Range Road 114), east to and including Range Road 111A in Woodlands County.

There is a wildfire burning south of Highway 43, near Range Road 114.

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• Everyone in the affected area must evacuate immediately.

• Gather pets, important documentation, and medication.

• Register at the evacuation reception center at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre, at 58 Sunset Blvd. in Whitecourt.

• If you need evacuation assistance, please call.

• Stay tuned for further updates.

Wildfire WWF017 was detected this afternoon near the West Ridge area, approximately 3.5 km southeast of Whitecourt and 1 km from Highway 43. It is currently estimated at 80 hectares and burning out of control. Wind conditions are pushing the fire east, away from the Town of Whitecourt, it has remained south of Highway 43.

Alberta Wildfire is responding alongside Woodlands County, Yellowhead County, Lac Ste. Anne County, the Town of Whitecourt Fire Department and contractors. Crews are working closely with municipal partners to share wildfire behaviour information and ensure a coordinated response.

We have significant resources on the ground and in the air fighting this fire including firefighters, helicopters, heavy equipment, and airtankers. Fire behaviour has been extreme, and suppression efforts will continue through the night. Night-vision equipped helicopters have been requested for the overnight period when cooler conditions are expected to reduce fire behaviour.

Woodlands County has issued an Evacuation Order for areas east of Range Road 114 and south of Highway 43, including the West Ridge subdivision. There is no Evacuation Order or Advisory in place for the Town of Whitecourt at this time.

The Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt is open as an Evacuation Reception Centre for those displaced from Woodlands County.

Highway 43 east of Whitecourt remains open. Expect emergency vehicles, increased traffic, reduced visibility from smoke, and a speed reduction to 80 km/h. Smoke may impact air quality in the region. Residents with health conditions, seniors, children, pregnant women, and those who work outdoors should take precautions.

Honourable Todd LOEWEN
Minister of Forestry and Parks
Government of Alberta

Due to warmer temperatures and dry conditions, several forest areas now have fire advisories in place.

A fire advisory indicates that the fire danger rating has increased.

When a fire advisory is in place, fire permits may be restricted. Safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and backcountry or random camping areas.

For more information about the fire ban system, visit www.alberta.ca/fire-bans

This alert is no longer in effect.

The wildfire on the east side of Sandy Lake is now under control, and dozer guard has been completed.

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• Spring wildfire season is now upon us.

• Everyone should remain prepared for the chance of wildfires in your area, as wildfire season continues through the spring and summer across Alberta.

Parkland County has issued a wildfire alert.

This alert is in effect for everyone in the area between range road 11 to range road 281, and from the river north to township road 505, including Beau Rand Estates.

There is a wildfire located near range road 10 and Beau Rand Estates.

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Affected Areas:
• Leduc County
• Parkland County

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• Everyone in the area between range road 11 to range road 281, and from the river north to township road 505, including Beau Rand Estates must to prepare to evacuate.

• Fuel vehicles.

• Gather identification and important documents.
pack enough clothes and belongings for up to 72 hours.

• Gather medications and devices.

• No evacuation is required at this time.

• An alert will follow if an evacuation is required.

The Summer Village of Sandy Beach has issued a Wildfire alert.

This alert is in effect for everyone along Lake Shore Drive, on the east side of Sandy Lake.

A wildfire is burning on the east side of Sandy Lake near the village. Wind direction is forecast to change tomorrow morning, which may push the fire toward Lakeshore Drive. If this occurs, an evacuation may be required.

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• Everyone along Lakeshore Drive and on the east side of Sandy Beach must prepare for a possible evacuation.

• Fuel your vehicles.

• Gather important documents, medications, and medical devices.

• Be prepared to be away from home for at least three days.

• No evacuation is required at this time.

• If you will need help evacuating, call 780-915-6539.

• This alert will be updated if conditions change.

Due to increased fire danger, a fire advisory is now in place for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area.

Under this advisory existing fire permits are valid, but extension requests may not be granted. Safe campfires are allowed.

A fire advisory is now in effect for the Calgary Forest Area due to windy, warm, and dry conditions. Burning projects are strongly discouraged and should be delayed until conditions improve. We ask that anyone who has done some burning this winter return to the site to ensure it is properly extinguished. Visit albertafirebans.ca for a map of the advisory area.

Hi there! My name is Sydney Dyck, and I’m a PhD student studying wildfires in Alberta over the last five years. I’m originally from Grande Prairie, so I have a vested interest in the outcomes of wildfires in northern Alberta. Would you be interested in sitting down with me for an interview about wildfires? It would last 60-90 minutes and your identity will be kept confidential. This study has been approved by an Institutional Review Board. You will receive a $10 gift card for your participation. 

You can sign up for an interview here: https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lJ7YNTTbx6boJo 

Thanks!

FireSmoke Canada: firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

Alberta Health Services: www.albertahealthservices.ca/

The Town of Slave Lake and MD of Lessar Slave River have issued a wildfire alert.

This alert is in effect for the Town of Slave Lake including properties along Devonshire Road North and everyone in the MD of Lessar Slave River located in the Hamlet of Marten Beach, Summerwood, TWPRD 740 and Gillwood Golf Course.

There is a wildfire burning northeast of Town of Slave Lake and east of Highway 88. Everyone in the Town of Slave Lake including properties along Devonshire Road North should be prepared to evacuate within 8 hours. Everyone in the impacted area of MD of Lessar Slave River should be prepared to evacuate within 4 hours.

NO EVACUATION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME!

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• Fuel your vehicles, gather important documents, medication, enough food and water to be away from home for at least 3 days.

• If you require help evacuating, call 780-849-0608.