Click here to view the News Conference which is scheduled for 11:00 am today.
Very warm temperatures and dry conditions have caused the wildfire hazard to climb to EXTREME for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
The forecast for tomorrow is calling for warm temperatures and strong gusty winds from the southwest. 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 a recorded message about the Fort McMurray Wildfire call 1-866-916-INFO
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 morning the area was blanketed with heavy smoke and winds were light for most of the day. These conditions reduced the wildfire behaviour this morning however as the smoke lifted the wildfire did become active on the outer edges. The wildfire did experience some growth on the south, east and west side.
Firefighters continued to be successful in holding the wildfire from Timberlea, Thickwood, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and various critical infrastructure.
Last night another infrared scan was completed around the community of Fort McMurray. The map of smouldering ground fire locations was passed onto the firefighters. Several crews of municipal and wildland firefighters are working in the forested areas around the community making good progress on extinguishing the numerous ground fires.
Dozers continued to build fire guard on the west, south and north sides of the wildfire today. So far a total of over 61 kilometres of dozer guard has been built.
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
