Thousands homeless from wildfires; High Level still on alert
Posted June 19, 2019 5:46 am.
Last Updated June 19, 2019 8:27 am.
HIGH LEVEL – More than 9,000 people have been forced from their homes due to out of control wildfires in northern Alberta.
The swelling numbers follow mandatory evacuation orders for communities including the Beaver First Nation, Dene Tha’ First Nation, parts of Mackenzie County and the Peerless Trout First Nation.
People in other communities remain on evacuation alert and could be told to leave quickly if the wildfire situation gets worse.
These communities include High Level, parts of the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River, Bigstone Cree Nation and the hamlets of Wabasca-Desmerais, Sandy Lake and Chipewyan Lake.
The province says the 9,000 number includes about 700 people from the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement who had to leave the community on May 26.
The Chuckegg Creek, Jackpot Creek and McMillan complex wildfires together cover an area of about 6,750 square kilometres.
About 4,000 High Level residents who were forced to flee their homes last month were only recently allowed back.
