Wildfire/Evacuation Update: May 7, 2023 06:45 p.m. (Town of Edson and Yellowhead County Municipal Update)

Wildfire Update Re-entry – Planned for May 8, 2023 at 08:00 AM

The Evacuation Order is being lifted at 08:00 a.m. on Monday, May 8th, 2023 for Marlboro to the Chip Lake area. Please contact the ECC at 1-833-334-4630 for details on the east end of Yellowhead County. This includes the Town of Edson.

The wildfire risk has been reduced thanks to firefighting efforts and the shift in weather. There is no longer an immediate risk.

However, the order being lifted will only be for some areas in Yellowhead County at this time.

Areas 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 are still under evacuation order and residents in this area are not returning at this time. If you live west of this area, you can return to your home.

If you are not able to return home due to the evacuation order still in place in some areas of Yellowhead County you can stay at your current location, make other arrangements, or if you have nowhere to go, you can check-in at the Edson Reception Centre to discuss accommodations.

For those still evacuated and returning to the area, please use the reception centre at the Edson and District Leisure Centre (1021 – 49 Street). The Centres in Hinton and Jasper will be closing. For those not able to return to the current evacuated areas you can make

Bussing will be available from the reception centres, taking people back to Edson. Transportation from the drop-off points will also be provided.

Jasper Bus – Assemble at the Jasper Activity Centre at 11:00 a.m., departing at 12:00 p.m.

Hinton Bus – Assemble at Hinton Recreation Centre at 10:00 a.m., departing at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Safety is a priority for re-entry. Please drive safe. We encourage people stagger their re-entry if possible.

A reminder that wildfires may still be active in the area. Please stay prepared for potential changes in the situation. Please check 511.alberta.ca for anyone coming from other areas. Some routes may still be closed.

Both Town and County 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.

Services such as grocery services, pharmacies, and gas stations should re-open as soon as possible, but residents need to be prepared for a reduction in service until staff are in place.

Planning is currently underway to ensure the resumption of municipal services such as waste collection and other essential services.

Emergency crews will still be working in the area. Please give them space and allow them to operate. Fire bans are still in place across the County, Edson Forest Area, and in the Town of Edson. A water ban is also in place for the Town of Edson.

For more re-entry tips and information, please check out the re-entry package on the Town and Yellowhead County Websites. The package includes safety information, insurance information, and a list of contact numbers for utility services.

You can find the package at https://yhcounty.ca/edson-yc-re-entry-booklet/

For more information call 1-833-334-4630.