Seventy wild fires are burning in northern Alberta today, 20 of them out of control.
A 500-acre fire near Wabasca has resulted in evacuation of 4,700 people to Calling Lake and Athabasca. That fire appears to be contained for the moment, according to officials.
Another 67 residences, comprising about 200 people, have been evacuated from an area 22 kilometres east of Slave Lake, most of them to the town of Smith. That fire is an estimated 1,235 acres in size.
A third fire 40 km northwest of Cold Lake, now almost 25,000 acres in size, has threatened the road to oil and gas facilities, so industry personnel have left that site after draining storage tanks and depressurizing lines.
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Oneil Carlier, minister of agriculture and forestry now two days into his job, said in a conference call that he is receiving daily briefings on the fire situation, and a province-wide fire ban was implemented yesterday.
Geoff Driscoll of the wildfire management branch said more hot, dry weather is in the forecast and more lightning is expected tonight, raising the risk that additional fires will start.
He said northern Alberta has received no significant rain since the snow melted in spring, creating tinder-dry conditions.
The Wabasca fire was likely started by people, as was the one near Cold Lake, said Driscoll. Investigations continue into those.
The fire near Slave Lake was started by lightning.
More than 1,600 firefighters and emergency workers are battling the blazes and helping evacuees, said Scott Long of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
Additionally, more than 100 helicopters and various air tankers and water tankers are also fighting the fires.
Alberta Health Services has staff supporting Wabasca evacuees. In other locations, the Salvation Army and Red Cross are providing assistance.
Contact barb.glen@producer.com
