Rain could bring relief as crews battle wildfires in Alberta
Posted June 1, 2019 10:08 am.
Last Updated June 1, 2019 2:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ALBERTA — Crews fighting more than two dozen wildfires in Alberta are hoping Mother Nature will help them out Saturday.
There’s some rain in the forecast that could dampen some fire activity, but officials aren’t counting on the weather.
So far, more than 10-thousand people have been forced from their homes and at least one energy company has shut down some operations.
Derek Gagnon, provincial information officer with Alberta Wildfire says High Level has seen some scattered showers.
“It’s hopeful we will see a little bit more over the next while but there is nothing that is really rain, like a sustained rain that sees a lot of precipitation fall within a short amount of time and it has been weeks since we’ve seen that, High Level is seeing drought like conditions right now,” added Gagnon. “So without rain, it is very difficult for these wildfires to get contained because the fuels around them are so dry and so ready to ignite.”
The Chuck Egg Creek fire, near High Level stretches, 100 kilometres, long from the northern tip to the southern.
Thick, acrid smoke continues to blanket much of the province south of the fires, causing poor air quality.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says Ottawa has granted Alberta’s request for help from the Canadian Forces.
READ MORE: Federal government will provide support for Alberta wildfire
The military will help airlift evacuees, transport supplies and provide medical assistance.
There were 29 active fires Friday — including 10 considered out-of-control.
People in Slave Lake, a town of 65-hundred that was partially destroyed by a wildfire in 2011, have been told to be ready to leave with eight hours notice.
The Alberta government is warning that any hot, dry, windy weather will make fighting the fires difficult.
Crews from across Canada are in the province doing their best to help.
