Wildfires continue to wreak havoc in central Alberta with a province-wide state of emergency in effect due to dozens of fires burning out of control and tens of thousands of residents forced out of their homes.
At least 14 communities stretching mainly from Drayton Valley to Grande Prairie have been evacuated or were under an evacuation alert as of the morning of May 8.
The area is also home to several livestock operations though it’s unclear how many have been impacted or require their animals to be evacuated.
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During a May 7 afternoon update, Colin Blair, Alberta Emergency Management Agency executive director, said the emergency declaration has allowed for provincial resources to be used for animal welfare threats.
“The way the system works is that we look to municipalities to manage the event within their boundaries,” said Blair. “Given the fact that we are now in a provincial state of emergency, we do have representatives from irrigation and agriculture in our emergency co-ordination centre.”
Alberta Beef Producers and Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies have both posted lists of resources for ranchers including listings of sites across the province that can host evacuated livestock.
Parkland County, located west of Edmonton, issued a call for livestock resources on May 5, including paddocks and trailers.
Based on social media posts, livestock evacuation appears to be largely ad hoc.
Shortly following the May 6 emergency declaration, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation ministry posted information advising producers contact the wildfire resource line at 310-4455 if they have questions and noted re-entry permits may be required to go back into evacuated areas to check on livestock.
Contact alex.mccuaig@producer.com
