80 wildfires are currently burning in the province, with 19 of those fires deemed out of control. Multiple evacuation orders for towns and villages across the province have been issued in the past several days. The province estimated on Thursday that approximately 3,726 individuals have been evacuated across the province thus far. 

While no wildfires have been reported in the Airdrie or Rocky View County area, both the city and the county remain under a fire advisory. The neighbouring county of Mountview is currently under a fire restriction that was issued on May 1. Virtually all counties in the province are now under varying degrees of fire advisories, restrictions, and bans.

Evacuation orders are currently in place for the following areas in Alberta due to wildfires:

  • Brazeau County has issued an evacuation order. This alert is in effect for Brazeau County and Drayton Valley.

    • There is an out-of-control wildfire southeast of Drayton Valley. All residents in the area of Township Road 484 North to Township Road 494, and North Saskatchewan River West to Range Road 80 must evacuate immediately. This includes the entire Town of Drayton Valley. Evacuate via Highway 22 North to Highway 624. Follow 624 to Tomahawk. Follow 624 East towards Stony Plain.

  • Lac Ste Anne County issued an Evacuation Order. This alert is in effect for everyone from West of Highway 43, and Range Road 60, West to Highway 757 from Brock Lake in the South to Township Road 564 in the North.

    • There is a wildfire near Range Road 60 and Township Road 560.

  • Athabasca County has issued an Evacuation Order due to Wildfire. This alert is in effect for areas Northeast of Athabasca.

    • There is a wildfire about 10 km Northeast of Athabasca, east of Camping Lake and moving west. Everyone on Range Road 214 and 215, North of Township Road 674 to the Athabasca River must evacuate now. Bring pets, important medication and documents and enough food, water and supplies to be away for 3 days. 

On Thursday, May 4, the province stated that there were four declared States of Local Emergency and one Band Council Resolution, including:

  • Lac St. Anne County
  • Beaver Lake Cree Nation
  • Rainbow Lake
  • Brazeau County
  • The Little Red River Cree Nation has declared a Band Council Resolution

The province noted that there were three wildfires currently burning in the area of Fox Lake (HWF031, HWF030, HWF035).

"These fires are threatening the community of Fox Lake. At the time of this report, twenty households, the police station and the Northern Store have been lost. A reception center has opened at the Fox Lake Band Office."

Alberta Emergency Alert has the most up-to-date information on active alerts, archived alerts, and details about the alerting system.

As of Thursday, May 4, Alberta Wildfire has noted several wildfires of note, which are defined as, "significant public interest and may pose a threat to public safety, communities or critical infrastructure."

On May 4 the wildfires of note were:

  • An out-of-control wildfire has been documented in the community of Fox Lake and is estimated to be 1,458 hectares in size. Little Red River Cree Nation has evacuated homes within proximity to the fire.
  • A wildfire has also been documented near the community of Rainbow Lake. This wildfire is 400 hectares in size. 

On May 3 the wildfires of note were:

  • An out-of-control wildfire approximately seven kilometres northwest of Evansburg on both sides of Highway 22, 3 kilometres north of Highway is estimated to be 16 2,300 hectares in size. The County has lifted the evacuation order and residents are returning to their homes.

On Monday, May 1, seven years passed since the Fort McMurray wildfires began. It is estimated that upwards of 88,000 people were forced from their homes. A survey conducted by FIRST ONSITE Property Restoration illustrated that 55 per cent of Albertans were worried about regional wildfires. 

The survey of more than 1500 Canadian adults, found that three-in-four Canadians were concerned about personal and family safety during disasters such as wildfires, while  56 per cent of respondents were concerned about having to leave their homes or community due to wildfires. 

In Alberta, it is estimated that nearly 50 per cent of this year's wildfires are human-caused. 

Residents are encouraged to follow local media, local municipalities, and Alberta Emergency Alerts for updates and advisories.

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