Despite some recent rain throughout the region, provincial officials are reminding residents of continued wildfire activity in the area.

According to Alberta Wildfire on May 9, 2023:

• Wildfire RWF-034 is located near the O’Chiese Reserve. It is classified as out of control at 64,575  hectares.

Residents of the following areas should be prepared to evacuate on short notice:

• Clearwater County in the area west of Beaverdam Provincial Recreation Area and east of the Bighorn Dam, including the hamlet of Nordegg.

Officials further point out, a fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, due to a very high fire hazard. Visit AlbertaFireBans.ca to see the restriction boundary.

Under this ban:

• All existing fire permits are suspended (or cancelled)
• No new fire permits will be issued

Prohibited:

• All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• Backyard firepits
• BBQ charcoal briquettes
• The use of fireworks and exploding targets
• The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

Allowed:

• Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
• Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
• All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
• Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
• Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.

The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

If you see a wildfire, report it by calling 310-FIRE.

Wildfire activity updates

• There are currently 88 active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, 25 of which are classified as out of control.
  • “Wildfire RWF-034 is located near the O’Chiese Reserve. It is classified as out of control at 64,575 hectares.
  • Alberta Wildfire is responding with firefighters, heavy equipment, and aircraft.”
  • Information on all wildfires is on the Alberta Wildfire dashboard and the Alberta Wildfire app.

Travel

• There are multiple road closures and advisories for north and central Alberta.
• Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

Alberta Emergency Alerts

• For up-to-the-minute Alberta Emergency Alert information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert.
• Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
• Albertans may notice emergency alerts for their community expiring or being removed from the system. This does not mean the emergency is over. What it does mean is that your community has been able to return to normal communication methods to update residents via local media.
• Please pay close attention to alert updates, local media and the alberta.ca/emergency website for up-to-date information on evacuation orders, reception centres and resources for people who have been impacted.

Donations

• Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice.
• Financial donations are preferred for disaster events, as most critical items can be sourced locally and monetary donations can be used to support vulnerable populations and be targeted to mental health initiatives in support of evacuees.
• Individuals and companies with goods or services to offer or donate to support government’s response to the wildfire event can email EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.