Update 45: Alberta wildfire situation (June 19, 4:30 p.m.)

Press Release

Current situation

• Due to decreased fire activity, the Yellowhead County area surrounding Edson has been downgraded to a wildfire alert advisory.
• A four-hour wildfire evacuation alert remains in effect for Edson. Residents should be ready to leave in a short time frame if conditions worsen.
• An evacuation order remains in effect for the hamlet of Fort Chipewyan, Mikisew Cree First Nation (Allison Bay, Dog Head and Devils Gate), Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, as well as Little River Cree Nation – Fox Lake.
• Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.
• Support continues to be available to Albertans 24-7. Visit alberta.ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
• Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
• Current year wildfires by suspected cause:
  • Human: 384 (Human-caused wildfires cover several different categories – everything from recreational fires to agricultural incidents to wildfires caused by people on residential land. Human-caused wildfires account for more than half of all wildfires annually.)
  • Lightning: 141
  • Under investigation: 127
• Albertans are asked to do their part to prevent new wildfires by respecting fire bans or restrictions in their areas. Visit albertafirebans.ca for details.
• Special air quality statements remain in effect across parts of the province. Visit airquality.alberta.ca to find out the level of health risk associated with your local air quality.
• Number of evacuation orders: 2
• Alberta Emergency Alerts: 1 order and 2 alerts
• Number of evacuees: 3,693
• Alberta currently has more than 2,900 personnel working on wildfires. This includes support from partner agencies across Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Chile and South Africa, as well as the Canadian Armed Forces.

Support for evacuees

• Those evacuated due to wildfires should register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.
• Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 25,300 applications have been processed.
• More than $32.8 million in e-transfers has been sent to evacuees.
• More than $11 million in debit cards has been distributed.

Donations

• Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice.
• The Canadian Red Cross has launched an Immediate Support to Not-for-Profit Organizations program to deliver urgent and ongoing support for people affected by wildfires across Alberta.
• Eligible community organizations providing immediate relief assistance may apply for $5,000 in one-time funding. View full program eligibility criteria.

For more information on the emergency and supports for evacuees, go to alberta.ca/emergency.

IHT4