There are two wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Fire number: WCU001
Status: Out of Control
Size: 330 hectares (ha)
Location: 7 km southeast of Entwistle
Infrastructure nearby: Trestle Creek Golf Course, scattered farms, Highway 16, Communities of Entwistle and Evansburg.
Resources assigned: Alberta Wildfire has three helicopters and one airtanker group assigned to the wildfire. Additional resources including crews have been requested.
Comments:
WCU001 was detected on April 29 and is located approximately 9 km southeast of Evansburg. The estimated size is currently 340 ha. AB Wildfire is assisting Parkland County to fight this wildfire.
Airtankers and helicopters will continue to work on the wildfire from the air.
Parkland County has a mandatory evacuation order in place for residents living between Range Road 65 to the Pembina River, north of Township Road 530 to Highway 16, including all residents of Entwistle. Please visit emergencyalert.alberta.ca or download the Alberta Emergency Alert App for additional information.
Weather conditions are expected to be challenging for firefighters. The fire danger is high for the area today.
For more information on WCU001 please visit:
Parkland County
Alberta Wildfire Dashboard https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/3ffcc2d0ef3e4e0999b0cf8b636defa3
Fire number: WCU002
Status: Out of Control
Size: 2,221 hectares (ha)
Location: Approximately 7 km northwest of Evansburg on both sides of Highway 22, 3 km north of Highway 16.
Infrastructure nearby: scattered farms and residences, Highway 16, Hamlet of Evansburg
Resources assigned: 45 wildfire fighters and six helicopters.
Comments:
WCU002 was detected on the evening of April 29. Originally the wildfire was two separate incidents - WCU002 on the east side of Hwy 22 and EWF017 on the west side of Hwy 22; they are now combined as the single incident WCU002.
The wildfire is burning out of control and moving towards the west-northwest. It is estimated to be 3,000 ha in size. The fire is burning in a mixture of grass, shrub, trees and marsh. Strong winds, warm temperatures, and very dry fuel are the main factors contributing to the rapid spread of this wildfire.
Last night, dozers were on the fire line building containment lines. Early this morning, firefighters used hand ignition techniques to burn off and remove some of the available fuel to re-enforce existing containment lines.
Both Yellowhead County and AB Wildfire are working together to contain the spread of the wildfire. Today, we have a total of 13 pieces of heavy equipment and three helicopters assisting 21 firefighters.
Airtankers have arrived in the area and will start building containment lines.
The Yellowhead County evacuation order is currently in place for the affected areas in Yellowhead County. The evacuation order will remain until it is determined that residents can safely return to their homes and there is no risk to residents and other infrastructure.
All evacuated residents should call 1-833-334-4630 to register as an evacuee or for more information.
For more information on WCU002 please visit:
Yellowhead County
Alberta Wildfire Dashboard https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/3ffcc2d0ef3e4e0999b0cf8b636defa3
This information will be updated, as required, by 11 a.m.
A wildfire of note is determined to be of significant public interest and may pose a threat to public safety, communities or critical infrastructure.
Wildfires of note do not typically include mutual aid wildfires located outside of the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Alberta Wildfire provides assistance on a mutual aid wildfire but is not the lead agency.
The Forest Protection Area of Alberta is divided into ten forest areas. Find the latest updates for each area or subscribe to receive them in your inbox.
Rocky Mountain House Forest Area