Approximately five miles north of Highway 58 in northern Alberta, a wildfire has sparked, prompting provincial authorities to issue a warning and evacuate residents.Approximately five miles north of Highway 58 in northern Alberta, a wildfire has sparked, prompting provincial authorities to issue a warning and evacuate residents. The blaze has forced the evacuation of nearly a thousand residents from the Little Red River Cree Nation. According to the provincial alert, the fire is burning approximately 8.5 kilometers north of Highway 58, which borders the First Nation community. As of Wednesday evening, 981 residents had sought refuge in the John D’Or Prairie settlement and other northern cities’ hotels. Despite covering an extensive 41,000 hectares, the wildfire does not currently pose a threat to the community. Additionally, an evacuation order remains in effect for Garden River, a community located about 19 miles northwest and affected by the same wildfire. While officials believe Garden River is not under immediate threat, there is concern that the fire may block access to Highway 58, which serves as the community’s only exit route. Across Alberta’s protected forest area, which spans from the southern Rocky Mountains to the north, 92 active wildfires are currently burning. The province has implemented a burning ban for this region. This ban exempts municipalities and federal lands, including national parks, but these entities retain the authority to enact their own bans.
A provincial warning says a fire is burning about 5 miles north of Highway 58
Nearly a thousand residents of a First Nation village in northern Alberta have been evacuated due to an out-of-control wildfire.
According to a provincial alert, the fire is burning approximately 8.5 kilometres north of Highway 58, which borders the Little Red River Cree Nation.
According to the government, 981 First Nation residents sought shelter in the John D’Or Prairie settlement and in hotels in other northern cities on Wednesday evening.
The wildfire, which covers 41,000 hectares, poses no threat to the community.
The evacuation order issued Wednesday remains in effect for the 700 residents of Garden River, a community about 30 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of the same wildfire that hit Little Red River Cree Nation.
According to authorities, there is no immediate danger to Garden River, but there are concerns the fire could block access to Highway 58, the only road out of the community.
According to the government, there are 92 active wildfires burning in Alberta’s protected forest area, an area that stretches from the southern Rocky Mountains to the north.
The province has issued a burning ban for the area.
Municipalities and federal lands, including national parks, are exempt from the ban but can enact their own bans.
The Canadian Press
