Community northwest of Edmonton under evacuation with over a thousands waiting for news on wildfire

A wildfire is currently burning north of the town of Swan Hills.

Residents of the community, two and a half hours northwest of Edmonton, were told to evacuate Monday night.

For many, this is all too familiar, having gone through an evacuation just two years ago.

A concerning sight on Monday for more than 1,300 residents in Swan Hills, as they fled the community.

For evacuee Jesus Tabilin, he’s watching the fire burning eight kilometers from town closely, currently waiting for news in Whitecourt.

“And that’s the time you are scared because, what will be your income after the evacuation? We don’t know what will happen and how many days we are going to be evacuated in Whitecourt,” Tabilin explained.

According to Alberta Wildfire, the fire is still considered out of control, but winds are blowing away from town on Tuesday afternoon.

“If the wind shifts around and starts to move in a different direction, that could be a different story, but that’s why we had crews working there, taking that into account and measures to mitigate as best as we can,” said Derrick Forsythe, the wildfire information officer with Alberta Wildfire.

This is not the first evacuation for Jesus and Jairus Tablin. Swan Hills was evacuated in 2023.

“I was like ‘Oh no, not again’ because this happened some time ago, like when I was 10,” said Jarius.

But they are hoping rain will help put out the fire, and soon return to the town.

“I’m a positive person, so I’m putting all to God what will happen next,” said Jesus.

Alberta Wildfire says as of Tuesday afternoon, 25 wildfires are burning across the province, eleven of which are declared out of control, asking everyone to check the provincial fire ban website.