Fort Nelson residents returning home after wildfire evacuation
The Mayor of Fort Nelson says residents are happy to be back home after being evacuated due to wildfires more than two weeks ago.
Rob Fraser says the joy of evacuees returning is still mixed with apprehension since the community had never before experienced a wildfire evacuation. Fraser says a banner hung from a ladder truck welcomed home residents returning from the evacuation after the order was lifted early Monday.
Mayor warns drone users: endangering wildfire efforts in Fort Nelson could lead to prosecution
The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality says people using drones in Fort Nelson are endangering helicopter pilots fighting wildfires near the evacuated community.
Rob Fraser says he would take out a drone with a shotgun if he was allowed, but says anyone caught using a drone in the wildfire area will be prosecuted.
Fraser says people in the evacuation zone have also caused damage to structural protection hoses by driving over them.
Wildfire firefighters receive accolades for their efforts with recent fire activity
The County of Grande Prairie is thanking the brave firefighters and those who helped from the County of Grande Prairie, the City of Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Bezanson, Teepee Creek, La Glace, Hythe, Wembley, Beaverlodge, Smokey River, Big Lakes County, the Town of Slave Lake, Municipal District of Greenview, and Alberta Wildfire.
Crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire in Teepee Creek and Valhalla. No properties were damaged due to fire, no one was injured, and the health and safety of residents was prioritized during the entire operation.
County of Grande Prairie downgrades Fire Ban to Fire Restriction
Effective at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will replace its Fire Ban with a Fire Restriction for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
City of Grande Prairie reduces fire ban to fire restriction
The Grande Prairie fire ban is now reduced to a fire restriction due to the recent rainfall. Residents are reminded that despite rainy conditions over the past few days, wildfire risk across the region remains high.
The City of Grande Prairie asks residents to take all proper precautions by being informed and following the fire restriction guidelines outlined below.
Prohibited:
·All outdoor fires not contained within a non-combustible fire pit.
·Wood campfires in backcountry or random camping areas.
·Fireworks and exploding targets.
Teepee Creek fire now being HELD
The fire is now at a status of being held. Given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is NOT anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. Crews will continue to work in and monitor the area.
Changes to Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert
The Evacuation ORDER has been downgraded to an alert for Township Road 741 to a quarter section north of Township Road 734 and Range Road 32 to the Smoky River.
Wildfire forces out thousands of residents in parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.
Thousands of residents in four neighbourhoods in the southern end of Fort McMurray were ordered out Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the Alberta city, bringing back memories of a devastating fire eight years earlier.
The Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo directed residents in Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace needed to leave by late afternoon.
Evacuation order cancelled for North Goodwin area
At 2:10 pm today, the MD of Greenview downgraded its Evacuation Order due to wildfire.
The evacuation order has been cancelled for the North Goodwin area, in the MD of Greenview.
Everyone returning home will remain on 2-hour Evacuation Alert in case the situation deteriorates.
Everyone in the North Goodwin area west of Range Road 21, between Township Road 734 and Township Road 741 may now return home. Everyone else within the MD of Greenview should stay prepared for potential evacuations on short notice due to wildfires this hazard season.
Fort Nelson wildfire grows, prompts expanded evacuation orders in northeastern B.C.
A wildfire raging through Fort Nelson has surged in size, prompting officials to issue additional mandatory evacuation orders for residents in northeastern British Columbia.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Fort Nelson fire has ballooned to over 84 square kilometers from its initial size of just under 53 square kilometers as of Monday morning.
No new growth for Teepee Creek wildfire
The fire perimeter has not had any new growth since the last update. Hot spots have been identified in the centre of the Teepee Creek wildfire zone which causes visible smoke in the area. Crews have reinforced the north side of the perimeter.
Overnight, the night vision helicopter continued bucketing on the west and east sides, making sure embers are contained.
Checkpoints are still in place. Public is reminded to contact the Call Centre at 1-825-606-5166 to determine if it’s safe to enter
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