An Evacuation Order is no longer in effect for the Town of Fox Creek.
According to Alberta Emergency Alert, residents are now allowed to return to the community.
The Mandatory Evacuation Order for the Town of Fox Creek has been removed and now changed to a 4 hour evacuation alert. There continues to be two active wildfires burning in the area, and you must remain prepared to evacuate on short notice.
According to the Town of Fox Creek on May 24, 2023:
“There are still 2 active out of control wildfires very close to Town. The community will remain under an evacuation alert. Please be ready to leave on short notice should conditions change in the coming days.
BEFORE you come back to the community, please ensure you do the following as resources and supplies may be limited:
– Fill up your vehicle with fuel
– Pick up a few days’ worth of groceries
– Empty trailers before returning to town – there will only be one dump station available
Please refer to the map below for details on re-entry.
(Town of Fox Creek)
All residents will be required to check in at the Fox Creek Community Hall. Once you have checked in, you will not have access to downtown until most residents have returned. Roadways will be opened up again for normal traffic flow at 9 pm.
Firefighting work will continue on the Eagle Fire Complex. These efforts are to maintain fire containment guards and to address priority hotspots.
Thanks to the work of many utility service providers, critical infrastructure repairs were completed and there are plans in place to support emergency response during community re-entry.
The Fox Creek Hospital will be open and EMS services remain available in the community.
Those with a medical condition, concerns or who anticipate a need for the emergency department should choose to delay their return until full hospital services resume. The hard work and dedication of our emergency personnel and first responders have made this re-entry possible earlier than initially anticipated.
To prevent traffic congestion and collisions, residents are asked to obey all traffic laws and posted signage upon entering the community and follow the route posted below. Do not slow down or stop on the roadway to observe different areas and please use caution as crews continue to work in the area.
A detailed COMMUNITY RE-ENTRY INFORMATION BOOKLET will be available at the Fox Creek Community Hall, everyone must check in there. We strongly encourage that you read the booklet. Welcome home Fox Creek, we are so happy to see you!”
According to Alberta Wildfire on May 24, 2023:
- Wildfire WWF-023 is located 1 km from Fox Creek and 10.5 km from Little Smoky. It is classified as out of control at 72,830 hectares.
Additional information: https://www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ab10=, http://www.alberta.ca/BePrepared, http://www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, http://511.alberta.ca
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An Evacuation Order remains in effect for some areas of the Municipal District of Greenview.
According to Alberta Emergency Alert, the Evacuation Order remains in effect for areas south along Highway 43 to Highway 947, including Townships to the west and southwest.
Residents along Highway 43 between TWP RD 670 and TWP RD 650 including the Hamlet of Little Smoky, however, can now return home.
People in the identified Evacuation Order area must remain evacuated. Residents previously included in the Evacuation Order but not listed above remain on Evacuation Alert.
Heavy smoke remains in the area. It is not recommended that you return yet if you have respiratory issues.
Nobody is permitted in or near the active fire perimeter, as displayed on this map. Check Alberta Wildfire Status Map for the most up to date wildfire information.
Additional information: LittleSmoky_Fire_EvacMay24,-2023-LS.jpg, http://www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, http://www.alberta.ca/BePrepared, https://511.alberta.ca/, http://www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ab10=
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The Mandatory Evacuation Order for the Town of Swan Hills has now been removed and changed to a 4 Hour Evacuation Alert.
According to Alberta Emergency Alert, residents are now allowed to return to the community.
Residents can return home but must make sure they are prepared to evacuate under a 4 Hour Evacuation Order.
When arriving back in the community please follow all directions given by law enforcement, town representatives, and any signage that may be posted.
According to the Town of Swan Hills on May 24, 2023:
“Please be aware that the wildfire danger still exists in our region, and you should be prepared in the event the situation worsens. Please be cautious and courteous during the re-enter process. A full re-entry information booklet can be found on the Town of Swan Hills website.
Public Works will be doing a garbage pick-up for returning residents Thursday May 25th. Please have your garbage cans on the curb by 8:00 am as they will be leaving for the day after they do the garbage pick-up.
Municipal Services and Facilities Update:
-There will be a curbside residential garbage pick on Thursday, May 25, 2023 returning to regular collection next week.
-The Town Office, Registries, and Public Works will resume normal hours on Monday May 29th.
-Transfer Station will be open regular hours.
-The Tourist Booth RV dump station is functioning.
-The Municipal Library will open at 1:00 pm on Thursday May 25th and resume regular hours.
-The Pool will resume regular scheduled programming starting Friday May 26th.
-FCSS will be open May 25th and May 26th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm with resiliency support for evacuees. Regular hours will resume starting May 29, 2023.
Even though the water system did not go down during the evacuation we recommend you run your taps for a few minutes when you return. This will clear up any water that has sat in your system.”
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Yellowhead County has cancelled a Wildfire Evacuation Order for the Shining Bank area, effective 4:00 p.m., May 23, 2023.
According to Alberta Emergency Alert, residents west of the McLeod River will no longer be in an evacuation zone or under any alert. Residents east of the McLeod River east to Range Rd 110 and south to the CN Rail Line will still be under a 30-minute evacuation alert in case conditions change.
Local residents can return to the evacuated areas in Yellowhead County, effective 4:00 p.m., May 23, 2023. This area will be open to local traffic only. Residents must remain on 30-minute alert. Please be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.
Additional information: Shiningbank-Re-Entry-Map-May-23,-2023.png
According to Alberta Wildfire on May 24, 2023:
- Wildfires WCU-001 and WCU-002 are in the area of Evansburg, Entwistle, Wildwood, Lobstick and Hansonville. They are classified as out of control 7,058 hectares (WCU001) and 2,401 hectares (WCU002).
- Wildfire EWF-035 is located 3 km southeast of Shining Bank and is classified as out of control at 20,996 hectares.
- Wildfire EWF-031 is located 25 km west of Lodgepole, 20 km northwest of Brazeau Dam and 14 km southeast of Edson. It is still classified as out of control at 119,806 hectares.
According to Yellowhead County on May 23, 2023:
“Wildfire conditions have improved, and fire containment is continuing daily. Structural protection sprinkler and gear will be removed from some areas in Yellowhead County over the next week.
If the structural protection equipment is removed from your home, that means structural protection crews are confident that your home is no longer under immediate threat. This will only be done in areas where crews are confident that it is safe to remove. It is important to have this equipment available for areas that need it.
If conditions change, the protection would be brought back in. Thank you for your understanding.
Also, the FIRE BAN in the Yellowhead County Forest Protection Area is STILL IN EFFECT.”
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A Wildfire Alert remains in place for southern portions of Woodlands County.
According to Alberta Emergency Alert, this alert is in effect for everyone in the area:
North of Township Rd 561, west of Range Road 120, south of Groat Creek Road, Twp Rd 584 west of the McLeod River to RR 144 east of the McLeod River to RR 123 at Whitecourt Mountain.
There is a wildfire south of Township Road 570, west of RR 123, north of Twp Rd 560 and east of Shining Bank. No evacuation is required currently. However, with worsening weather conditions, this fire could force evacuation of the affected area.
Everyone in the affected area must prepare for a possible evacuation. Gather pets, important documents and medication, enough food, water and supplies for at least three days. This alert will be updated if an evacuation is required. Stay tuned to www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, local media for updates.
Additional information: Zone-1-EWF035-11-May-2023.png, http://alberta.ca/BePrepared, https://woodlands.ab.ca/
