Wildfire evacuation order forces 140 people from their homes near Whitecourt
Posted May 12, 2026 9:18 am.
Last Updated May 12, 2026 3:15 pm.
An out-of-control wildfire forced the evacuation of some homes in Woodlands County, affecting about 140 people, on Monday evening.
That evacuation order remains in effect Tuesday.
Around 5:30 p.m., residents living east of Range Road 114 and south of Highway 43, including the West Ridge subdivision, were told to evacuate immediately. The area is about 10 kilometres southeast of Whitecourt, which is itself northwest of Edmonton.
Firefighting planes could be seen circling in the Whitecourt area. A reception centre was set up in Whitecourt to help evacuees.
As of Monday night, the fire was estimated at 55 hectares.
Woodlands County confirmed the fire was moving away from Whitecourt with the wind and stayed south of Highway 43.
“There are firefighters, helicopters, heavy equipment, and airtankers actively fighting this fire,” the Town of Whitecourt wrote on Facebook Monday night. “Local municipal fire departments are also helping to fight the wildfire. Firefighters are observing extreme fire behaviour and will continue suppression efforts alongside aircraft into the night.
“Night-vision equipped helicopters has been requested for the overnight period when fire behaviour is expected to be lower due to cooler conditions.”
The Town of Whitecourt told its resident to be prepared, though there are no alerts issued for the community at this time.
“Air quality may be impacted in the region due to smoke from the wildfire,” the town warned. “Those with health conditions, children, seniors, pregnant women and those who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by the wildfire smoke.”
Woodlands County is offering residents a one-time $1,000 emergency relief payment if they have experienced a “catastrophic event” resulting in total loss or uninhabitable living conditions.
