Fort McMurray Area Update

May 13, 2016 8:00 pm Update on the Horse River Wildfire. (Clone)

Posted on Sat, May 14, 2016

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Due to the lack of rain the wildfire hazard is VERY HIGH for the Fort McMurray Forest Area. For tomorrow the forecast is calling for warm 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.

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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 8:00 pm

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

Firefighters continue to be successful in holding the wildfire from Timberlea, Thickwood, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and various critical infrastructure. Good progress is being made by firefighters on the extinguishment of the numerous smouldering ground fires in the forested areas of the community.Dozers continue to build fire guard on the south, west and north side of the wildfire. 
 
With the warm temperatures this afternoon, firefighters were seeing active fire behaviour along the west and south sides of the wildfire. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets actioned these flare ups and the wildfire did not grow significantly today. 
  
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.
 
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Photo: May 14 at 8:00 am Firefighters from Slave Lake and High Level 
 
We have over 700 firefighters and firefighting personnel,134 pieces of heavy equipment, 40 helicopters and 13 airtankers working on this wildfire. This evening 56 firefighters from Slave Lake and High Level have arrived and they will be deployed on the fireline tomorrow morning. Additional firefighters and various pieces of heavy equipment are expected to continue 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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Effective May 13 at noon, the province-wide fire ban was amended to the following:

A fire ban is in effect for portions of northern and central Alberta. The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area in northern and central Alberta and all counties, municipal districts and special areas, as well as provincial parks and recreation areas. The fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages, summer villages, or federal lands, such as national parks. NOTE: A county or municipal district may decide to add additional restrictions – please check your local area.

Prohibited

  • All open fires, including wood campfires, charcoal briquette fires, turkey fryers, and tiki torches
  • Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating are allowed.
  • The use of incendiary targets

Allowed

  • Gas or propane stoves/barbeques and portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved and UL certified
  • Propane barbeques and stoves
  • Catalytic or infrared style heaters

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Restriction

Recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) is restricted on all public lands and provincial parks within portions of northern and central Alberta, including designated OHV trails. The restriction does not apply to agriculture, public safety, commercial/industrial or 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. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice.

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

For more information contact:

Leah Lovequist - Wildfire Information Officer

1-780-849-0945

Leah.Lovequist@gov.ab.ca

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