Edson officials hoping rain, cooler temperatures on the way

Officials in Edson are hopeful changing temperatures will help firefighters battle the out-of-control wildfire that remains near the community.

The wildfire that forced the evacuation of the town west of Edmonton last week remains 1.5 kilometres away from homes.

The town’s chief administrative officer, Christine Beveridge, says cooler temperatures and some precipitation are in the forecast for the area in the coming days.

EDSON WILDFIRE:

• Evacuation order stays in place as wildfire continues to menace town west of Edmonton
• Weather not helping as crews battle Edson wildfire that forced evacuation
• Fire chews through transmission towers near Edson
• Crews fireproof Edson homes as wildfire remains ‘on our doorstep’

A low was to develop over central Alberta Tuesday afternoon, bringing winds up to 30 kilometres per hour and the potential for up to 30 millimetres of rain.

Beveridge says the area also remains extremely smoky – with an air quality risk of nine – and fire crews are working around the clock to stop the fire from spreading closer to the community of about 8,400 residents, who remain under an evacuation order.

“Your safety is of the utmost importance to us,” Beveridge said during an update on Facebook live Tuesday afternoon. “We want to make sure that when we do bring you back that you’re safe, that you have the services that you need to continue to be safe, and you’re able to access services.

“I know this isn’t easy for our evacuees that are displaced.”

The Town of Edson says the conversations about the evacuation order – and when to end it – involve emergency medical services, food supplies, and gas. The community also wants to ensure there are enough fire guards in place.

Forecasted rain in June less than normal

Precipitation is forecasted across the country, but Environment Canada says it’s not enough to extinguish the danger.

Sara Hoffman, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says the country entered wildfire season extremely dry and the forecasted amount of rain for June is less than normal.

She says the amount of rain expected this week will not make widespread changes to the level of risk this wildfire season.

The changing weather this week throughout Western Canada is expected to move wildfire smoke into more densely populated areas of the Prairies, especially Alberta, and also portions of southeastern interior B.C.

There are 447 active fires in Canada with 226 listed as out of control.