Alberta
Update 16: Northwest Alberta wildfires (June 6 at 6 p.m.)
June 06, 2019
Weather conditions favourable for firefighters.
Wet, cooler weather has contributed to conditions that make it easier for fighting wildfires across the province. Rain continues to fall in many areas of Alberta while the High Level area experiences cool temperatures.
Approximately 4,800 evacuees remain displaced. Steen River and Trout Lake evacuees are now eligible for evacuation payments.
The following communities remain on evacuation alert:
- Keg River, Carcajou and all residents from the northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
- Hamlet of Sandy Lake
- Town of Slave Lake
- MD of Lesser Slave Lake, including Old Smith Highway, Mitsue, Poplar Lane, Fawcett Lake, Eben Road and Bayer Road
- Peerless Lake area of Peerless Trout First Nation
- Town of Manning and some surrounding areas
- Mackenzie County: everyone north and south of the Peace River from Township Road 1030 north to Township Road 1110, west of Range Road 120 to Highway 35 south and southeast of High Level, and east of Range Road 180 (Blue Hills Road)
Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:
- Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
- Some areas of Mackenzie County: west of Blues Creek, north of Highway 697, west of Blue Hills Road (RR 180) and north of Township Road 1030 and La Crete Ferry Campground to the Peace River.
- Steen River
- The Trout Lake area of Peerless Trout First Nation
- Bigstone Cree Nation
- Wabasca No. 166
- Parts of the MD of Opportunity No. 17
- Hamlet of Wabasca – Desmarais
- Hamlet of Sandy Lake
- Chipewyan Lake Village
Current situation:
- Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 275,985 hectares.
- Jackpot Creek wildfire, approximately 11 kilometres north of Lutose, is about 28,100 hectares.
- McMillan Wildfire Complex, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is more than 248,000 hectares.
- Battle Wildfire Complex in Peace River is about 56,200 hectares.
- There are more than 2,100 wildland and structural firefighters and staff, approximately 223 helicopters and 28 air tankers and heavy equipment on these fires.
- Check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
- People driving in fire-affected areas should carry enough fuel, as it may not be readily available.
Visit emergency.alberta.ca for detailed and frequently updated information.
Air quality
- Smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility in parts of the province.
- Much of northwestern Alberta is under a special air quality statement.
- Individuals may experience symptoms, such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
- If you experience breathing difficulties, find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated.
- Alberta Wildfire recommends checking FireSmoke.ca to find out where the smoke is coming from.
Financial supports
- Evacuees should check alberta.ca/emergency for updates on evacuation payment eligibility.
- Evacuees in need of financial assistance for immediate needs can apply for an Income Support program emergency needs allowance. This benefit may cover your accommodation, clothing and other urgent needs. Please call 1-877-644-9992 for more information.
- You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you:
- were living, working or vacationing in the affected area
- were forced to leave due to an evacuation order
- paid for most of your costs to evacuate
- were forced to leave your residence (primary, working or vacationing) due to a mandatory evacuation order – current communities include:
- High Level
- Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
- Bushe River
- Chateh
- Meander River
- Wabasca-Desmarais
- Bigstone Cree Nation 166 A, B, C and D
- Sandy Lake
- Chipewyan Lake Village
- Keg River
- Carcajou
- Northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
- Steen River
- Trout Lake
- Albertans who qualify will receive $1,250 and $500 for each dependent child under 18 living in the same home when the evacuation order was given.
- Application methods:
- Apply online through the MyAlberta Evacuation Payment application using a smart-phone, device or desktop. Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to process.
- If you’re in the Edmonton area and from an eligible community, please visit the Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave before 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 or between 8:30 a.m. and noon on Friday, June 7.
- Parking is free for evacuees. Let the parking attendant know the purpose of your visit.
- You can also apply in-person at Calling Lake Community Complex, Central Drive and 1 Street before 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 if you’re from:
- Wabasca-Desmarais
- Carcajou
- Sandy Lake
- Chipewyan Lake Village
- Keg River
- Bigstone Cree Nation 166 A, B, C and D
- Northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
- If you’re not in the Edmonton or Calling Lake areas, contact 310-4455 to find the nearest payment distribution centre.
- Photo identification
- Proof of residence or presence in the community
- Identification for dependent children if claiming for them
- If you are visiting a payment distribution centre, please bring:
- More than 10,300 individuals have received evacuee support, and more than $10.4 million has been distributed.
Reception and call centres
- All evacuees should register with an evacuation reception centre, even if you’ve found alternate accommodations.
- Some reception centres have been demobilized. This means evacuees are able to contact the centres by phone. If there is a need, staff will assist them on an individual basis:
- Grande Prairie – 780-567-5587
- Reception centres are open at:
- Peace River Misery Mountain Ski Hill (10408 89 Street)
- Calling Lake Recreation Centre (2870 Central Drive)
- Back Lakes Arena (249 Red Earth)
- Evacuation reception centre hours can be found at emergency.alberta.ca.
- The Alberta Government’s call centre will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Friday, June 7 at 310-4455.
Highway updates
- To stay informed on all road closures due to the wildfires, visit 511.Alberta.ca or download the mobile app.
Insurance information
- Most home and tenant insurance policies provide coverage for living expenses during an evacuation.
- Evacuees should retain all of their receipts for food, accommodation and other related expenses to provide to their insurer.
- Albertans can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422 or by email at [email protected]. Information about insurance coverage is available online at ibc.ca/ab/disaster/alberta-wildfire.
Justice and legal matters
- High Level Court matters will resume in High Level on Monday, June 10 at 8:15 a.m.
- Community Corrections and Release will resume operations out of High Level at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, June 7.
- Chateh Court matters will be heard in High Level Court until further notice. Please contact the High Level Court at 780-926-3715 for inquiries.
- Fort Vermilion Court matters will resume immediately, as scheduled. Please call 780-926-3715 for inquiries.
- Wabasca Desmarais matters will continue to be held in High Prairie until further notice. Please contact the High Prairie Court at 780-523-6600 regarding any matters scheduled.
- If you have an appointment with a probation officer in an evacuated area, report to the community corrections office nearest you. Please call 780-427-3109 (to call toll-free, first dial 310-0000) for information.
- If you are an intermittent server in an evacuated area, call the Peace River Correctional Centre at 780-624-5480 (to call toll-free, first dial 310-0000).
Education
- The schools of Fort Vermilion School Division will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Students wishing to write a diploma exam, Grade 6 or Grade 9 provincial achievement tests should make arrangements with the Fort Vermilion School Division. For further information visit: fvsd.ab.ca.
- School officials in fire-impacted areas will address the impacts of disruption on the academic program and school year. Students or their guardians should watch for online or direct communications from local school authorities about specific changes.
Provincial park closures
- Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park trails and day-use areas, including the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, are open. Campgrounds remain closed.
- Twin Lakes Provincial Recreation Area, Moose Lake Provincial Park and Notikewin Provincial Park are closed.
- Calling Lake Provincial Park campground is closed to accommodate evacuees from the MD of Opportunity. Any campground reservations will be refunded.
Boil water advisory
- A boil water advisory is in place for Meander River (Dene Tha’ First Nation).
Health
- Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour help line at 1-877-303-2642, the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322, or Health Link at 811.
- Alberta Health Services is providing support to the reception centres. These supports include addiction and mental health, Indigenous health liaisons, nursing, emergency medical services, public health and home care.
- The Northwest Health Centre in High Level is open, with all emergency, laboratory, X-ray, mental health and community health departments open.
- Alberta Health Services will be providing enhanced addiction and mental health services to help residents in High Level following the evacuation.
- New, temporary walk-in services for individuals experiencing addiction and mental health concerns are available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mental Health Clinic at Northwest Health Centre in High Level. Scheduled visits with new and existing clients will resume on Monday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call the clinic directly at 780-841-3229.
- Alberta Health Services has relocated acute patients and continuing care residents from La Crete and Fort Vermilion to health facilities in Edmonton and surrounding communities.
- The emergency department at St. Theresa General Hospital in Fort Vermilion remains open.
Pets and livestock
- High Level animal control has collected household pets that have been left behind. For questions regarding your pets, please call 780-926-2201.
- For evacuees in the Wabasca area, please fill out an online form on the Alberta Animal Disaster Response Facebook group, or text 403-869-4964 and provide your name, contact number, number of animals missing, where they were last seen, and a brief description of your pet.
- The County of Northern Lights will allow residents to enter property to look after livestock between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Residents must first go to the county office to register for the temporary access pass.
Electricity and natural gas billing
- High Level and area residential, farm, irrigation and small commercial electricity and natural gas customers affected by the evacuation will not be billed for the period covered by the order.
Donations and volunteers
- High Level is not accepting donations or volunteers at this time.
- The Town of Slave Lake has set up an online form for offers.
- Check the Mackenzie County Facebook page for an up-to-date list of donations needed and drop-off locations.
Canada Post
Mail service has been suspended in:
- High Level, Meander River, Chateh, Paddle Prairie, Keg River, Wabasca, Notikewin, Hotchkiss, Trout Lake
- High Level evacuees can pick up mail from the Slave Lake Post Office
- Chateh evacuees can pick up mail at the Fort Vermilion Post Office
- Meander River evacuees can pick up mail at the La Crete Post Office
Mail service has been restored in:
- Fort Vermilion, La Crete, Rainbow Lake, Zama City
If you require urgent access to critical items, such as medications and passports, please call 1-800-267-1177. You may be able to arrange for pick up at the Slave Lake Post Office (100 2 Street NE).
Mail will be held at the Edmonton depot until mail service resumes.
- Check the Canada Post website for updates.
Income Support, Alberta Supports and AISH
- Evacuees receiving the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped or the Income Support program by cheque rather than electronic deposit can pick up their cheque at their nearest Alberta Supports Centres.
- If you are in La Crete, you can pick up your cheque at the local reception centre. If you receive your benefits via direct deposit, your payment will be deposited as usual.
- For information on child intervention and child care, call 1-800-638-0715.
- Persons with developmental disabilities, their families or contracted service providers can call the nearest Alberta Supports Centre for assistance.
- For additional information on social benefits, or to find a list of Alberta Supports Centres, call 1-877-644-9992 provincewide between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- Employment insurance: evacuees can visit Service Canada online to apply at www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html. Use code 4812014812201900.
Health card, driver’s licences, ID cards, birth certificate
- To get a replacement Health Care Insurance Card call 780-427-1432 or toll free at 310-0000 and then 780-427-1432 when prompted. Your Alberta Personal Health Card can be mailed to a temporary address.
- If driver’s licences, identification cards, and/or birth certificates were left behind during the evacuation, replacement cards and certificates can be ordered free of charge at a registry agent.
Public information
- You can call 310-4455 for more information.
Related information
From the Canadian Energy Centre
‘Today’s youth have the opportunity to lead us into the future with innovative solutions for environmental challenges’
After a 24-year career in oil sands land reclamation, author Tanya Richens is sharing her knowledge with young minds.
Her new book, From the Earth to Us: Discovering the Origins of Everyday Things, explores the relationship between natural resources and the things we use in everyday life, from computers and water bottles to batteries and solar panels.
“There is a gap in society’s understanding of where things come from. We are a society driven by consumerism and immediate gratification. We order something online, and it arrives on our doorstep the next day. We don’t stop to think about where it really came from or how it was made,” Richens says.
“There’s an ever-increasing societal position that mining is bad, and oil is even worse… But there’s a simple hypocrisy in those beliefs, since so many things in our lives are made from the raw materials that come from mining and oil and natural gas,” she says.
The book, illustrated by reclamation artist Shannon Carla King, follows young Hennessy Rose and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Riley on a trip to a children’s summer camp.
Hennessy’s mom is a guest speaker on the origin of everyday items and the relationship between humans and the earth. Through detailed explanations of items surrounding her, Hennessy’s mom teaches the kids how rocks, minerals, oil and gas from the earth are used to power and aid our lives, creating items such as building supplies, food and hair products, camping and sports equipment, and cell phones.
Author Tanya Richens poses with her two books for children about natural resources. Photo for Canadian Energy Centre
“I thought a simple and fun book explaining the raw materials needed to make everyday items would be valuable for all ages,” Richens says.
“When people feel personally connected to natural resources, they are more likely to promote sustainable practices. Today’s youth will have the opportunity to lead us into the future with innovative solutions for environmental challenges.”
Richens‘ career began with Alberta Environment, where she was a coordinator of reclamation approvals in the oil sands. She oversaw technical reviews of oil sands reclamation applications, communicated with statement of concern filers, coordinated public hearings and provided support for legislative changes.
She moved from government to Suncor Energy, ensuring the company’s compliance on reclamation projects and led initiatives to obtain reclamation certificates. She now works as an independent consultant.
Drawing on her wealth of experience in the field, Richens’ first book, Adventures in Land Reclamation: Exploring Jobs for a Greener Future, seeks to excite kids aged 9-12 years about jobs related to the environment and land reclamation.
Hoping to get From the Earth to Us into the hands of teachers, Richens is heading to the Edmonton Teachers Convention in late February. She says the book supports multiple learning outcomes in Alberta’s new science curriculum for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6.
“Ultimately, I’d like people to understand and acknowledge their individual part in the need for mining and oil and natural gas development. Until the naivety and hypocrisy in the world is addressed, I’m not sure that real environmental change is possible.”
Richens’ books can be purchased on her website at tcrenvironmental.com.
Canada’s wealth is based on its success as a trading nation. Canada is blessed with immense resources spread across a vast country. It has succeeded as a small, open economy with an enviable standard of living that has been able to provide what the world needs.
Canada has been stuck in a situation where it cannot complete nation‑building projects like the Canadian Pacific Railway that was completed in 1885, or the Trans Canada Highway that was completed in the 1960s. With the uncertainty of U.S. tariffs looming over our country and province, Canada needs to take bold action to revitalize the productivity and competitiveness of its economy – going east to west and not always relying on north-south trade. There’s no better time than right now to politically de-risk these projects.
A lack of leadership from the federal government has led to the following:
- Inadequate federal funding for trade infrastructure.
- A lack of investment is stifling the infrastructure capacity we need to diversify our exports. This is despite federally commissioned reports like the 2022 report by the National Supply Chain Task Force indicating the investment need will be trillions over the next 50 years.
- Federal red tape, like the Impact Assessment Act.
- Burdensome regulation has added major costs and significant delays to projects, like the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, a proposed container facility at Vancouver, which spent more than a decade under federal review.
- Opaque funding programs, like the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF).
- Which offers a pattern of unclear criteria for decisions and lack of response. This program has not funded any provincial highway projects in Alberta, despite the many applications put forward by the Government of Alberta. In fact, we’ve gone nearly 3 years without decisions on some project applications.
- Ineffective policies that limit economic activity.
- Measures that pit environmental and economic objectives in stark opposition to one another instead of seeking innovative win-win solutions hinder Canada’s overall productivity and investment climate. One example is the moratorium on shipping crude through northern B.C. waters, which effectively ended Enbridge’s Northern Gateway proposal and has limited Alberta’s ability to ship its oil to Asian markets.
In a federal leadership vacuum, Alberta has worked to advance economic corridors across Canada. In April 2023, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba signed an agreement to collaborate on joint infrastructure networks meant to boost trade and economic growth across the Prairies. Alberta also signed a similar economic corridor agreement with the Northwest Territories in July 2024. Additionally, Alberta would like to see an agreement among all 7 western provinces and territories, and eventually the entire country, to collaborate on economic corridors.
Through our collaboration with neighbouring jurisdictions, we will spur the development of economic corridors by reducing regulatory delays and attracting investment. We recognize the importance of working with Indigenous communities on the development of major infrastructure projects, which will be key to our success in these endeavours.
However, provinces and territories cannot do this alone. The federal government must play its part to advance our country’s economic corridors that we need from coast to coast to coast to support our economic future. It is time for immediate action.
Alberta recommends the federal government take the following steps to strengthen Canada’s economic corridors and supply chains by:
- Creating an Economic Corridor Agency to identify and maintain economic corridors across provincial boundaries, with meaningful consultation with both Indigenous groups and industry.
- Increasing federal funding for trade-enabling infrastructure, such as roads, rail, ports, in-land ports, airports and more.
- Streamlining regulations regarding trade-related infrastructure and interprovincial trade, especially within economic corridors. This would include repealing or amending the Impact Assessment Act and other legislation to remove the uncertainty and ensure regulatory provisions are proportionate to the specific risk of the project.
- Adjusting the policy levers that that support productivity and competitiveness. This would include revisiting how the federal government supports airports, especially in the less-populated regions of Canada.
To move forward expeditiously on the items above, I propose the establishment of a federal/provincial/territorial working group. This working group would be tasked with creating a common position on addressing the economic threats facing Canada, and the need for mitigating trade and trade-enabling infrastructure. The group should identify appropriate governance to ensure these items are presented in a timely fashion by relative priority and urgency.
Alberta will continue to be proactive and tackle trade issues within its own jurisdiction. From collaborative memorandums of understanding with the Prairies and the North, to reducing interprovincial trade barriers, to fostering innovative partnerships with Indigenous groups, Alberta is working within its jurisdiction, much like its provincial and territorial colleagues.
We ask the federal government to join us in a new approach to infrastructure development that ensures Canada is productive and competitive for generations to come and generates the wealth that ensures our quality of life is second to none.
-
Devin Dreeshen
Devin Dreeshen was sworn in as Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors on October 24, 2022.
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