Results for: Fort McMurray Wildfire

A wildfire near Fort McMurray has been brought under control, meaning it is contained and will eventually be extinguished. Alberta Wildfire commended the efforts of firefighters and support staff, acknowledging the challenging days and long hours spent battling the blaze. Although the fire is contained, firefighters remain on standby to address any remaining hotspots within the perimeter. The wildfire remains at 18,593 hectares, with minimal ground fire to be extinguished. Residents evacuated from nearby neighborhoods have been allowed to return home.

A wildfire burning near Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta has been downgraded to “being held” status, as it has not grown and is not expected to threaten the community or infrastructure. Firefighters and heavy equipment operators have made progress in containing the fire, which is now 19,451 hectares in size. While the fire ban remains in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area and an off-highway vehicle restriction is in place south of Lake Athabasca, residents have been allowed to return home after evacuation orders were dropped on Saturday morning.

The Fort McMurray wildfire remained unchanged in size on Friday morning, hovering around 19,820 hectares. Despite its proximity to major highways and the Fort McMurray landfill site, officials anticipate subdued wildfire behavior due to cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and rain. Between 20 and 80 millimeters of rain is forecast for the region in the coming days, with 8.7 to 10.3 mm already falling overnight. The evacuee registration count stands at 2,597 people and 379 pets, with 6,600 residents displaced from their homes in Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, and Prairie Creek, where an evacuation order remains in effect until at least Tuesday. Active firefighting efforts continue with the construction of a fire break between the Athabasca River and Horse River, and structure protection has been completed in several neighborhoods and industrial areas.

Thousands of Fort McMurray residents were forced to flee their homes due to an out-of-control wildfire, prompting the provincial government to explore an alternative roadway out of the community. Currently, Highways 63 and 881 are the only routes leading south, causing significant congestion during evacuations. Premier Danielle Smith announced plans to consult on Highway 686, which would connect the Peace Region to Fort McMurray. This proposal aligns with recommendations made after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, which emphasized improving communication and making FireSmart investments.

Fire crews have successfully controlled a wildfire that broke out in northeastern Alberta, southwest of Fort McMurray. The fire, which initially spanned 12 hectares, rapidly grew to 34 hectares before crews, air tankers, and a night-vision helicopter intervened. Despite the visible smoke, no communities were affected. The wildfire occurred shortly after Alberta Wildfire officials reported no out-of-control fires in the province, highlighting the importance of monitoring conditions closely during wildfire season.