May 21, 2023 Update
LEAVE ALL EQUIPMENT ALONE
Do NOT tamper, remove or take any equipment from any areas within the fire zone. This equipment is required by firefighting staff and can impact fire response as well as put firefighters at risk for serious injury or death.
SMOKY CONDITIONS
Due to the numerous wildfires in Alberta, smoky conditions will persist in communities and along highways. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Before travelling, check 511.Alberta.ca for the latest road conditions or closures. Visit firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from and to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
DO NOT USE DRONES NEAR WILDFIRE ACTIVITY! YOU ARE IMPACTING AERIAL OPERATIONS AND PUTTING PILOTS AND STAFF AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH! A drone in the area means we must land all aircraft in the area.
We want to remind everyone that areas in Yellowhead County still have fire activity.
Firefighters and others are operating in these areas. Please be aware and drive responsibly for their safety and yours.
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- There is currently an Evacuation Order for East of Shining Bank Lake remains in place which was expanded Friday, May 19th to North of CN rail line above Niton and east of RR110.
The Evacuation Order is for everyone in the area: North of CN Rail Line above Niton, east of Highway 32, South of Township Rd 570 east to Range Rd 130, south to Township Rd 561, and east of Range Rd 110. Residents in this area need to evacuate. - A Reception Centre is set up in Edson. Evacuees can register at the Reception Centre or call 1-833-334-4630. Reception Centre Hours for May 23rd are 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- An Evacuation Alert was issued on May 16, 2023, for everyone in the area: North of Highway 16 to the CN rail line north of Niton, east of Highway 32 to west of Highway 751 and includes Niton Junction. Residents in this area need to prepare to evacuate.
- Be prepared with an evacuation plan and gather your important items, documents, pets, food and water in the event of an emergency.
- Structural Protection crews in Yellowhead County have been initiating their system over the last several days and are now prepared to action approximately 100 homes in Yellowhead County. Special flagging of different colours marked ‘SPU’ are set up on these properties to help firefighters identify operations for that property. This is to identify the placement of pumps and structural protection sprinklers. Please do not remove the flagging.
- There are rapid attack crews in place that will respond to any new developments or flare-ups.
- A downturn in weather is expected over the next few days with a chance of isolated or scattered rain and thunder cells in the vicinity of the fire tonight through Tuesday.
Yellowhead County crews are continuing to maintain work throughout the night in the Shiningbank area with increased crews and staggered shifts, as well as continuing to work on other wildfire areas.
Thank you to all those who are a part of battling the wildfires in Yellowhead County. Please be aware of the equipment and crews in the area and let them do their work safely. We thank you for working to protect Yellowhead County.
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Smoke is heavy in the area and is affecting roadway visibility. The smoke is coming from the fires in our area, as well as from fires across the province and in BC. Please remember to turn your headlights on, drive safe, and be cautious of anyone working in the area.
If you’re struggling with the smoke, please visit https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/air.aspx for advice related to wildfire smoke. If you have questions specific to your health, call HealthLink at 8-1-1.
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Fire Information from Alberta Wildfire:
The area continues to have limited resources due to these exceptional times. We’re sharing valuable resources with many other wildfires in the province but continue to work on and monitor the following wildfires in our area: WCU001, WCU002, EWF035, EWF031, EWF039, EWF037, EWF040 and new starts that are detected.
Firefighters, aircraft, and heavy equipment have been working in conjunction with county and municipal firefighting services as aggressively as possible to make progress on these wildfires while the conditions have been favorable. Despite all of this hard work, there are still hundreds of kilometers of uncontained wildfire perimeter and fire behaviour forecasts indicate that there can be growth on some of the wildfires throughout the Edson Forest Area.
Smoke will be heavy again today in the Edson Forest Area. Lingering smoke will be seen in multiple areas and in affected communities following the cold front passage. Smoke inversions can also trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and impacting nearby communities. Please use EXTRA CAUTION WHEN DRIVING IN SMOKY CONDITIONS!
Fire Southeast of Edson in Yellowhead County (EWF031):
113,244 ha in size
For more information visit srd.web.alberta.ca/Edson-area-update.
Fire from Parkland County into Wildwood Area (WCU001):
7,281 ha in size
For more information visit srd.web.alberta.ca/Edson-area-update.
Fire North of Wildwood (WCU002):
2,400 ha in size
For more information visit srd.web.alberta.ca/Edson-area-update.
Shiningbank Fire (EWF-035):
18,608 ha in size
For more information visit srd.web.alberta.ca/Edson-area-update.
Fire-specific information such as location, size, and perimeter can be found at srd.web.alberta.ca/Edson-area-update.
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Toxic Round Up and Wood Waste During the Current Fires
To help you remove flammable and other toxic materials, the Toxic Roundup is taking place in Edson and Evansburg on May 27 (10 AM – 2 PM).
Yellowhead County does not take wood and flammables at Transfer Stations during a Fire Ban.
Edson and Hinton landfills are taking trees and branches only.
Yellowhead County has alternative sites where you can bring wood products:
- The Nojack Stockpile Site at NW-10-53-11-W5
- The Kokotovich Stockpile Site at SW-10-55-12-W5
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Our Emergency Call Centre will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call 1-833-334-4630 with any evacuation-related questions.
Call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported but assume that large columns of smoke and burned-over areas have already been detected and reported. Remember to call 9-1-1 during an emergency, including if you see fire. If in doubt, call 9-1-1.
A FIRE BAN and OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION is in effect for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Edson Forest Area. Please help us in the fight against wildfires by doing your part to prevent any new ones.
Information on the provincial funding for evacuees who have been away from their home for more than 7 days (total) can be found at alberta.ca/emergency. If you’re having trouble applying online, call 310-4455.
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View our live-streamed update from 2:00 p.m. today here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=2218257088375440
View our post on protecting your health when it comes to smoke and air quality here: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty/posts/pfbid0jLQvMudDBZjuX5gptyrhBvvYfhG4WSfrqhdBJ4jxRxa85xzVg1Hg1mdmcSLYokHal. Call 8-1-1 for information specific to your health.
View our post on FireSmarting your property here: https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty/posts/pfbid0eDgxiVeeeFgaipt54jtsBA6hSW2RBrmM1NrmA2ouMJFFqce39pv8b8khiv8qwYvUl
PHOTO: Low visibility on EWF-031 due to heavy smoke (May 20, 2022).
