Current situation

  • On May 18, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo lifted the state of local emergency, as well as the evacuation order for the communities of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace. More information: www.rmwb.ca
  • On May 19, the MWF017 wildfire was classified as being held. This means that given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past current boundaries.
  • This change of status signifies that the risk of this wildfire growing towards the community and important infrastructure is greatly reduced. As such, the municipality and Alberta Wildfire have started the process of removing structure protection equipment from the areas where it had been installed.
  • Heavy equipment operators have built over 25 km of fire guard to the southwest of Fort McMurray. Now that this work is complete, Alberta Wildfire will be downsizing our complement of heavy equipment. There are 28 heavy equipment operators still assigned to MWF017, who will work on extending the containment line around the perimeter of the wildfire.
  • Firefighters and heavy equipment operators have been able to take advantage of  recent rain to make excellent progress on containing the wildfire. The fire is not expected to grow but remains active in the interior of the perimeter. Firefighters are looking for hot spotsand extinguishing them. This is a lengthy process that requires time and hard work to complete.
  • Once warm and dry conditions return, the interior of the wildfire will become more active. Pockets of unburnt vegetation may catch on fire and smoke may be visible once again. This is normal and expected. Firefighters, with the support of helicopters, will continue to extinguish hot spots until the wildfire is brought under control. 
  • A fire ban remains in place in the Fort McMurray, High Level and Grande Prairie Forest areas, as well as an off-highway vehicle restriction in the southern portion of the Fort McMurray Forest area. This means that the recreational use of off-highway vehicles on public land is prohibited.
  • These bans are in place to limit the number of human-caused wildfires.
  • There are currently 39 wildfires burning in the forest protection area of Alberta. Of these wildfires, none are out of control, three are classified as being held and 36 are under control. 
  • Since Jan.1, there have been 337 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned 28,793.9 hectares. Of these wildfires, three are classified as being held, 14 are under control, three have been turned over and 317 are extinguished.
  • Current wildfire information is available on the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Support for evacuees

  • Support continues to be available to Albertans. Visit alberta.ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
  • Number of people registered at evacuation centres: 3,028
  • As the evacuation order has been rescinded, and residents under the mandatory evacuation order had been out for five days (May 14 to May 18) while the mandatory order was in effect, the Emergency Evacuation Payments are no longer applicable. This benefit was only intended to be available for residents displaced under a mandatory evacuation order after seven or more days.

Roads and Highways

  • There are currently no highway closures due to wildfires.
  • Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

Health Care

Education

Alberta Emergency Alerts

  • For up-to-the-minute Alberta Emergency Alert information visit Alberta Emergency Alert.
  • Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

Emergency Preparedness

  • Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now.
  • To be prepared, Albertans need to know what to do, where to go, and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
  • Read more about emergency preparedness.

Wildfire Updates

  • Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen will provide a weekly briefing with officials from Alberta Wildfire and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

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