Evacuation Alerts and Orders
Town of Fox Creek - Information Alert | May 16 @ 9:05 p.m.
The Town of Fox Creek has been informed by Alberta Wildfire that there is a potential shift in the wind direction and speed to the wildfire that is north of the town. Should this happen a two hour evacuation notice will be issued.Residents are advised to take all necessary precautions. Follow the directions of local authorities. Visibility will be affected. There will be scheduled updates at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the Town of Fox Creek webpage, their FaceBook page and emergencyalert.alberta.ca
Municipal District of Greenview - Evacuation Order| May 16 @ 6:00 p.m.
The Little Smoky Area Wildfire evacuation order remains in effect. The size of the evacuation area has not grown. Highway 43 remains open but may be impacted by smoke and emergency crews in the area. Road blocks are in place and access to the evacuation area is not permitted. Industry must contact Agriculture and Forestry’s Industry Liaison Officer at 780-779-7321 regarding access to critical infrastructure.
The evacuation order does not apply to the Town of Fox Creek or the Hamlet of Little Smoky. Evacuation supports are available only for people who are officially registered and who live in the official evacuation zone.
For the most upt to date information on this alert, see the md.greenview.ab.ca or emergencyalert.alberta.ca
You can also follow the M.D. of Greenview on thier FaceBook page, Twitter@mdgreenview16 or Instagram (@md_greenview).
No one knows for sure when disaster will strike.
The one thing we can do is be prepared. Create your own 72-hour emergency kit, and you will have the necessary items to help you and your family until emergency responders can reach you. Visit www.aema.alberta.ca/72-hour-emergency-kit.
Wildfire Update
Whitecourt Forest Area Update | May 16 @ 8:00 p.m.
Wildfire in the Little Smoky area (WWF-025) - started at 1:00 p.m. May 15 and remains classified as OUT CONTROL. The wildfire grew very little today and remains approximately 900 hectares in size. It was expected to grow on the north-side today but because the forecasted wind gusts did not happen and thanks to the hard work of firefighters, the wildfire did not grow substantially.
At 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, the wildfire picked-up in activity on the south east corner, burning east in direction - this was away from the Town of Fox Creek. Residents of the community were able to see a dark column of smoke and airtankers fighting the wildfire. A voluntary evacuation was conducted by a facility located north of the Town. Currently the community and critical infrastructure are not being threatened.
Even though there was a small amount of growth on the north-east side of the wildfire, the wildfire remains just over 8 kilometres south east of the nearest community in Little Smoky. The evacuation alert remains in effect. Read below for further details.
Over the evening period, heavy equipment will continue establishing the fireguard around the perimeter of the wildfire - focusing on the south and north ends of the fire.
Image: Aerial view of the wilfdire in the Little Smoky area at 6:00 p.m. tonight.
Smoke in the Air
If you have health concerns related to smoke inhalation from a wildfire, check Alberta Health Services website or call 811 for 24 hour health advice.
Fire Ban Remains in Effect
The Whitecourt Forest Area remains under a Fire Ban. The Fire Ban was amended on May 13 and applies to northern and central Alberta. This includes all counties, municipal districts and special areas, as well as provincial parks and recreation areas. For more information visit beta.albertafirebans.ca.
All existing Fire Permits continue tobecanceledintheWhitecourt Forest Area and no new fire permits will be issued until conditions improve.
NOTE: The fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages, summer villages, or federal lands, such as national parks. A county or municipal district may decide to add additional restrictions – please check the new Alberta Fire Ban website at beta.albertafirebans.ca for more information.
Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction
As of noon on May 13, the use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) for recreational use on all public lands within the northern portion of the province of Alberta are still restricted to help prevent the spread of wildfires. This applies to the Whitecourt Forest Area.
- Off-highway vehicles are defined as any all-terrain vehicle (ATV), four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles and amphibious machines.
- If Albertan's are witnessing restricted OHV activities they can call the Report a Poacher Line at 1-800-642-3800.
- For more information you can visit emergency.alberta.ca.
Your next update will be on May 17, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
