Another 4,500 people were forced from their homes over the last 24 hr because smoke from fires in northern Alberta. Government officials said Thursday. "These smoke impacts have created a significant increase in evacuees" said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen. "We began the day after yesterday with approximately 5,500 evacuees and we currently have over 10,000 now"
"Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen speaks at a government update on the wildfire situation in northern Alberta Thursday. (Nathan Gross/CBC)"(source abc news)
The Chuckegg Creek fire, which forced people to leave High Level is moving at an alarmingly fast rate, is not even slowing in the overnight hours. the firer travelled about 30 km south yesterday between noon and four o'clock this morning. Dry and windy conditions and low humidity have made conditions challenging for firefighters over the last 24 hours. The fire moved across Highway 35 to Paddle Prairie and also jumped the Peace River which is about 700 metres wide. Evacuations also expanded in Mackenzie and Northern Lights Counties on Wednesday and Thursday Fire officials are still trying to confirm reports from Paddle Prairie residents that homes were lost due to fire. The provincial operations centre has moved from a response level three to a four since Wednesday. That means representatives of every government department are now joined by federal and industry representatives like ATCO and CN Rail.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/evacuee-numbers-wildfire1-1.51568768
The Chuckegg Creek fire, which forced people to leave High Level is moving at an alarmingly fast rate, is not even slowing in the overnight hours. the firer travelled about 30 km south yesterday between noon and four o'clock this morning. Dry and windy conditions and low humidity have made conditions challenging for firefighters over the last 24 hours. The fire moved across Highway 35 to Paddle Prairie and also jumped the Peace River which is about 700 metres wide. Evacuations also expanded in Mackenzie and Northern Lights Counties on Wednesday and Thursday Fire officials are still trying to confirm reports from Paddle Prairie residents that homes were lost due to fire. The provincial operations centre has moved from a response level three to a four since Wednesday. That means representatives of every government department are now joined by federal and industry representatives like ATCO and CN Rail.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/evacuee-numbers-wildfire1-1.51568768