A wildfire continues to burn west of the Clearhills area ABC001 (BC Wildfire # G80068) on both sides of the BC/Alberta border. Today, good progress was made containing the wildfire. Dry weather helped crews to see and find hot spots. Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters bucketing will continue working hard to extinguish this wildfire.

Over the weekend, smoke will be in the area, increasing during the afternoon periods. For more information visit firesmoke.ca. 

This wildfire is being continuously monitored by personnel in the air. Our first priority is public safety.  If an evacuation becomes necessary, those affected will be notified by the proper authorities immediately.

We have been working with the BC Forest Service to action this wildfire.  They are working on controlling the fire on the BC side of the border. For updates visit  BC wildfire website. The entire fire is nearly 60,000 hectares in size. ABC001 map (Alberta side)

Temperatures will continue to climb throughout the weekend and fire behavior is expected to increase throughout the week.  

There have been a number of reports of UAV/drones flying over the wildfire in the Clearhills area, on both sides of the border.  Air operations have had to be grounded as a result.  

When you fly a drone or UAV over or near an Alberta wildfire, you’re breaking the law and endangering firefighting personnel and may cause firefighting operations to stop.

Before you fly your drone or UAV, make sure you understand the rules that apply and follow them. Not doing so could cost you up to $25,000 in fines.

For more information, please visit:tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst

 

Evacuation Preparedness Alert

Clearhills County has issued an evacuation preparedness alert for areas north of Highway 64 and west of secondary Highway 726 in Clear Hills County.   

Sign up for the free emergency alert app to get up to the minute alerts and updates on evacuations and other emergencies in the province pushed to your device.  

For information on how you can prepare yourself for the event that an evacuation is necessary, visit www.aema.alberta.ca/72-hour-emergency-kit. 

 

 

Fire Ban in Effect - Amended May 13

A Fire Ban remains in place for the northern part of the province of Alberta -excluding the Calgary Forest Area (CFA). Existing Fire Permits are canceled and no new fire permits will be issued.

This fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages or summer villages or federal lands such as national parks, but many municipalities have initiated a fire ban. All fires are now prohibited. The only exception is contained fires fueled by liquid or gas used for cooking or heating. Fireworks are also covered under the fire ban. For full details, visit albertafirebans.ca.