Alberta to see more fire bans as first evacuation orders of 2024 issued

Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said in an update on the province’s wildfire situation Wednesday that more fire bans are coming to areas of Alberta today.

This comes 12 households — around 30 people — from the M.D. of Peace were forced to evacuate after met an emergency alert was issued at 7 p.m.

Those who had to leave their homes were told to evacuate to Grimshaw, saying the flames were about one kilometre from the river, burning northwest.

This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. The MD of Peace No. 135 has updated it’s wildfire alert.
This Evacuation Order remains in effect for everyone from Township Road 830, south to the Peace River, and from Highway 684, east to the Peace River, in the MD of Peace No. 135.
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— Alberta Emergency Alert (@AB_EmergAlert) April 24, 2024

Despite also being faced with an evacuation order, about 20 residents of Cold Lake First Nation are now on their way home.

The fire near Peace River has also impacted the Peace River Correctional Facility, which remains closed.

At this point, the province says around 50 people have been displaced due to fires.

An early spring, a low snow load, and last year’s dry summer are all contributing to this fire season moving along faster that what is typically expected.

Alberta Wildfire says it is 39 per cent ahead of last year in terms of hiring new members to help manage the season ahead.

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More bans are being put in place as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, with an expansion of restrictions expected for northern Alberta.

“We’re planning an expansion of the existing fire restrictions, so it will cover the entirety of northern Alberta and will continue down south and include the Rocky Mountain House Forest area, but like the minister said, the Calgary Forest Area will remain under a fire advisory as they received a bit more moisture than the rest of the province,” said Alberta Wildfire information officer Josee St. Onge.

But, officials say the Calgary Forest Area will remain at advisory level because it has seen more precipitation.

The minister says several new fires have started since last week, and most of them are expected to be human-caused.

Loewen is urging Albertans to be fire smart.

“This includes breaking up fuel sources that could ignite a structure — removing trees in close proximity to your home and properly maintaining your gutters and roofs to rid of materials that could easily ignite, including dry leaves and needles,” he said.

Closer to home, the Town of Banff held a demonstration of equipment and plans Tuesday, so residents are familiar with what to expect in case of fire.

The Town of Banff has partnered with Parks Canada and the Town of Canmore in their preparations.

Updates on the province’s wildfire situation will be held by Alberta Wildfire every week.