Very warm temperatures and dry conditions have caused the wildfire hazard to climb to EXTREME for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
Tomorrow's forecast is calling for warm temperatures and light winds.For Monday and Tuesday we are expecting strong gusty winds from the southwest and there is no rain in the long term 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
Update on the Horse River Wildfire (MMF-009) as of 9:00 pm
The priorities for this wildfire are to protect homes, critical infrastructure, the safety of first responders, and to further limit wildfire spread.
This afternoon, the winds began gusting and firefighters were seeing an increase in wildfire behaviour along the west, east and south sides of the wildfire. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets were actioning these areas. The wildfire has grown to the west around the Athabasca River and in the south, spotting over La Loche Road pushing in a southeast direction.
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
