On Monday, four volunteer firefighters from the Beiseker Fire Department travelled to the Northwestern part of the province today to assist with the wildfire situation in the area. They are currently in Peace River.

According to Fire Chief Nikki King of the Beiseker Fire Department, a request for apparatus' was sent out by the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and the Beiseker offered up its engine, Engine 130.

"Tender 130 will provide coverage should a structure fire occur while the Engine is away," the Beiseker Fire Department stated on Sunday, May 21. 

As of Friday, May 19, the wildfire in the area (GWF-018) was located on both sides of the Peace River and is impacting Highway 64. It is classified as out of control at 47,266 hectares. According to the Alberta Wildfire, there are firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment working on this wildfire.

As of Monday evening, there were 76 wildfires burning in the province with 22 deemed out of control. There are 16 evacuation orders in place and 18 Alberta Emergency Alerts - 10 of those alerts are orders, while the other eight are alerts. The number of evacuees is nearing 11,000.

Alberta currently has more than 2,700 personnel working on wildfires. This includes support from partner agencies across Canada and the United States as well as the Canadian Armed Forces. An additional 24 firefighters from the northwestern United States have arrived in the province.

Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 12,900 applications have been processed. More than $17.8 million in e-transfers have been sent to evacuees and more than $5.3 million in debit cards have been distributed. Debit cards are available for evacuees unable to receive an e-transfer at 15 Alberta Supports Centre locations with extended hours and at Edmonton and Calgary evacuation centres.'

Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice. The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will each match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal. This means that every $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires.

Other local fire departments including the Carstairs Fire Department and various other departments in Mountainview County also have members deployed to the wildfires in Northern and central Alberta.

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