Fort McMurray Area Update

May 13, 2016 2:30 pm Update on the Horse River Wildfire.

Posted on Fri, May 13, 2016

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Due to the lack of rain the wildfire hazard is VERY HIGH for the Fort McMurray Forest Area. For today the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures and lighter winds however conditions do remain extremely dry. For the long term temperatures are expected to increase and there is no rain in the forecast.

For information on the Fort McMurray Wildfire contact Leah Lovequist 1-780-849-0945 Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

For evacuation information please visit www.alberta.ca or call 310-4455

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Update on the Horse River Wildfire (MMF-009) as of 2:30 pm

The priorities for this wildfire are to protect homes, critical infrastructure, the safety of first responders, and to further limit wildfire spread.

With the warm temperatures this afternoon, firefighters are seeing active fire behaviour along the west and south sides of the wildfire. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets are actioning these areas.
 
Firefighters continue to be successful in holding the wildfire from Timberlea, Thickwood, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and various critical infrastructure. Firefighters are also working in the forested area around the community extinguishing the numerous smouldering ground fires. 
 
Dozers continue to build guard around the north at Parsons Creek North,Timberlea/Thickwood, west of highway 63 near Anzac and along the southern end of the wildfire. A dozer guard has been completed in the Gregoire Lakes Estate area.  
 
The wildfire remains classified as out of control and is estimated to be 241,457 hectares in size.
The far east side of the wildfire is approximately 13 kilometres from the Saskatchewan border.
 
Click here to view today's map.
 
We have over 700 firefighters and firefighting personnel,134 pieces of heavy equipment, 37 helicopters and 13 airtankers working on this wildfire. Additional firefighters and various pieces of heavy equipment are expected to arrive over the next coming days.
 
Frequent updates on the Fort McMurray wildfire and evacuation are available by visiting www.alberta.ca 
 
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A Province-wide Fire Ban is now in place for the Province of Alberta

All open fires, including campfires and charcoal briquettes, are prohibited. The use of incendiary targets is also banned.

Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed.

The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area and all counties, municipal districts and special areas, and provincial parks and recreation areas. The fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages, summer villages, or federal lands.

For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).

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Province restricts off-highway vehicle recreational use

The OHV restriction will be in place until further notice. It applies to recreational use on public lands, including designated OHV trails, only.

It will not apply to agriculture, public safety or commercial/industrial users who operate OHVs for farming, enforcement or business purposes. The OHV restriction does not apply to the use of an OHV by Indigenous peoples when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.

Wildfire management staff, along with enforcement personnel, including Conservation Officers and Fish and Wildlife Officers, will enforce the temporary OHV recreational restriction immediately. OHVs include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles and amphibious machines.

For more information contact:

Leah Lovequist - Wildfire Information Officer

1-780-849-0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

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