Results for: Alberta

A raging wildfire in western Alberta has forced thousands of residents to evacuate, sparking fears of a repeat of the devastating 2016 blaze. The fire has nearly doubled in size and is approaching the city of Fort McMurray, prompting partial evacuations. Officials are monitoring changing weather conditions that may help push the fire away from the city, but they are urging residents to remain vigilant. The wildfire has also disrupted travel and tourism in the region, with many stores and schools closed due to the smoke. The situation highlights the challenges faced by communities in wildfire-prone areas and the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.

The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 has downgraded an evacuation order to an alert for an area affected by a wildfire near Teepee Creek. The fire is now being held, and crews are monitoring the area. Residents in the affected area can now return home but must be prepared to leave if conditions change. The evacuation alert remains in place for Township Road 741 to a quarter section north of Township Road 734 and Range Road 32 to the Smoky River.

Residents in northern Alberta remain on evacuation alert as wildfires continue to burn out of control, but fire officials report that a change in the weather is providing some assistance to crews. The largest fire in the province, estimated at 6,579 hectares, is located about 16 kilometers southeast of Fort McMurray and 12 km west of Highway 63. After a windy weekend that fueled rapid growth of the blaze, Alberta Wildfire officials issued an update on Monday stating that “light rain showers are expected today, which will help lower fire activity.” Environment Canada forecasts a high temperature of 19 C in Fort McMurray for Monday, with mainly cloudy skies, a 60% chance of showers, and winds from the southeast at 20 km/h. Fire officials anticipate that “this will give firefighters a good window to continue making progress on containing the fire,” while heavy equipment operates on a fire guard on the northeast side of the blaze. Six crews of firefighters are working to establish a containment line, supported by 13 helicopters and airtankers on standby. Notably, two night vision helicopters worked overnight to drop water on the fire using their buckets.

Smoke from wildfires in northeastern British Columbia has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement for Alberta. The smoke is expected to return for most of northeastern Alberta on Sunday, while conditions should begin to improve Sunday night for the majority of the province. However, conditions are likely to remain poor through Monday and possibly Tuesday for northwestern Alberta. Residents are urged to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke by reducing or stopping outdoor activities, especially if they experience breathing difficulties or feel unwell.

Evacuation alerts have been expanded to include several new communities as firefighters battle strong winds and a growing wildfire near Fort McMurray, Alberta. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has expanded its alert to include Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Anzac, Fort McMurray First Nation #468, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Rickards Landing Industrial Park due to the risk of wildfire. The wildfire, which has grown to over 1,400 hectares, remains out of control and is located 16 km southwest of Fort McMurray on the south side of the Athabasca River valley. Five crews of wildland firefighters, nine helicopters, and air tankers are working to contain the blaze. Residents in affected areas are advised to be prepared to evacuate on short notice. The latest evacuation information can be found on the Alberta Emergency Alert website.

Wildfires are spreading rapidly in Western Canada, prompting evacuation orders and alerts in several areas. In Alberta, a fire near Fort McMurray has grown to over 1,000 hectares and is listed as out-of-control, forcing the evacuation of residents. An evacuation order has also been issued for Grand Prairie County No. 1 due to a nearby wildfire. In British Columbia, an evacuation order has been issued for the town of Fort Nelson as a wildfire poses a threat to human life. The wildfire service suspects the fire to be human-caused and is battling it with ground crews and air support. In the Northwest Territories, six active wildfires are burning, with the largest fire affecting over 1,500 hectares. Government officials have warned of potential damage from the fires due to warm temperatures and drought conditions, following the worst wildfire season on record in 2021.

Grande Prairie County No. 1 has been placed under an evacuation order due to a wildfire burning nearby. The fire is burning approximately 4 kilometers east of Teepee Creek, at approximately Range Road 31 and Township Road 740. The fire is moving away from the community, according to the government of Alberta. Residents are urged to travel north to Township Road 742 and West onto Highway 733 and register at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre in Grande Prairie. Everyone should bring pets, important documents, medication, medical devices, food, and water for at least seven days.

The Alberta government has established a committee to explore methods for expediting the rehabilitation of the province’s growing tailings ponds in the oil sands. The six-member committee, tasked with examining policies and options to facilitate safe and timely reclamation, includes experts from various sectors. The committee will collaborate with an external facilitator but has no set deadline for reporting. Despite previous research and initiatives, the issue persists, prompting criticism from environmental groups. Oil sands producers have filed reclamation plans with the Alberta Energy Regulator, though they rely on unproven technology. Some tailings ponds exceed 300 square kilometers in size and continue to expand. The committee’s members represent diverse perspectives, including a First Nations chief, an engineering professor, and an oil and gas executive.

The Alberta provincial ombudsman has released a report criticizing the government’s Persons with Developmental Disabilities program, which denied a 21-year-old man with autism the supports he needs. The ombudsman says the program’s eligibility rules are unfair and rely heavily on intelligence tests, which have been criticized by medical clinicians. The report recommends that the government review the program’s rules and consider Zenari’s case for reconsideration.

Roger Bilodeau and his son Anthony have lost their appeals of convictions in the fatal shooting of two Metis hunters, Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal, in 2020. The Bilodeaus confronted the victims on a road near Glendon, northeast of Edmonton, after becoming concerned about a parked truck on their property. Anthony fired the fatal shots, and both men fled the scene without seeking assistance. Roger was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of being a willing party to the crime, while Anthony was convicted of manslaughter and second-degree murder. The appeal courts dismissed arguments that the trial judge erred in instructions to the jury and concluded that no substantial miscarriage of justice occurred.