We would like to remind residents that the firefighters and emergency crews have been working long hours under stressful conditions. Many of them have also been evacuated and are away from their families and homes too. Please support these boots-on-the-ground emergency responders.
We would also like to thank all the residents who have been working to help protect their communities and homes along with all the firefighters who have come in from other communities across Alberta. AB Wildfire also continues to assist Yellowhead County with these wildfires.
At this time, some areas in Yellowhead County are still in the current evacuation zone.
The evacuation order for the Town of Edson and some areas of Yellowhead County, between Marlboro to the Chip Lake area, have been lifted.
Areas in Yellowhead County (including Evansburg, Hansonville, Lobstick Resort, and Wildwood) are still under an evacuation order. Areas still under evacuation order at this time are east of Range Road 110 (north of Chip Lake) and east of Range Road 101 (south of Chip Lake) and south of Township Road 560 in Yellowhead County. This includes, Evansburg, Hansonville, Lobstick Resort, and Wildwood. Crews are still working in the area for firefighting and other emergency efforts.
Yellowhead County is currently working on plans for re-entry into Evansburg which is planned for Wednesday May 10 and will is continuing to evaluate other areas to prepare for re-entry to these areas as well.
An update was delivered by Mayor Wade Williams and Yellowhead County’s CAO and answered questions. You can view the video update at https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty/videos/716780276869919/
Another update will be done at the Reception Centre in Edson today (May 9) at 12:00 noon. The update will be livestreamed on the Yellowhead County Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty/
Any agricultural operations and farms can request special access conditions for calving, foaling, and lambing provided it is considered safe for your area. Please contact 1-833-334-4630 for details.
Residents that need to check livestock or retrieve pets can also request access between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please contact 1-833-334-4630 for details.
Residents need to remember that there is still fire activity and other potential safety concerns in some areas. Firefighters and emergency services are still operating in these areas. Anyone entering firefighting areas can impact and prevent firefighting efforts in this area.
Returning residents should check utilities on arrival to ensure everything is operational. If you have utility concerns, please contact your service provider as soon as possible.
The ER is open at the Edson hospital. Please note that there will be limited services at the Edson Hospital as they complete their re-entry. EMS ambulance services are available, as well as fire/medical first responders. EMS/ambulance is available, as well as our Medical First Responders/Fire services. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Services such as grocery services, pharmacies, and gas stations and other services are mostly re-opened, but residents need to be prepared for a reduction in service until staff and stock are in place.
Please continue to call 9-1-1 for all emergencies including wildfires
Fire bans remain in place and the Town of Edson is still under a water ban.
The ECC number is 1-833-334-4630 for any evacuation or re-entry related questions.
For information on emergency evacuation funding from the province, visit www.alberta.ca/emergency or call 310-4455.
Recent weather and firefighting efforts have slowed wildfire activity but, there are still active fires in our area and it’s always good to be prepared.
For the most recent wildfire updates in Yellowhead County and weather forecasts impacting the wildfire, visit: https://srd.web.alberta.ca/edson-area-update.
PHOTO FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE: Smoke on EWF031 (May 6, 2023 at 5.00 p.m.)