Latest news with #DeneTha
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dene Tha' First Nation hopes to lift evacuation order this week, Chief says
Dene Tha' First Nation, in northwestern Alberta, has a re-entry plan for wildfire evacuees that it hopes to execute in the coming days, according to Chief Wilfred Hooka-Nooza. The First Nation issued an evacuation order more than two weeks ago, on May 29, due to the Sousa Creek wildfire, which is burning several kilometres south of the community of Chateh, roughly 660 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. The fire is still out of control as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Alberta Wildfire dashboard. But Hooka-Nooza told CBC News that the fire's boundary has been held five to eight kilometres from Chateh. The First Nation developed a re-entry plan, which it had hoped to put into action Sunday, he said. But now the hope is to start returning people to the community Tuesday. The plan is a phased approach that would strategically allow people home over a three-day period, with people who have respiratory health concerns arriving last, Hooka-Nooza said. Wildfires forced thousands of Albertans from their homes earlier this month. But communities have recently lifted evacuation orders and alerts amid recent cool temperatures and rainy weather. "It's been a welcome reprieve from the hot, dry conditions that we have seen previous to this, that did ignite and spread a lot of the fires that are burning across the province," Melissa Story, an Alberta Wildfire provincial information officer, told CBC News Sunday morning. Alberta Wildfire reported 57 total active wildfires throughout the province as of 4 p.m. MT Sunday, about 40 per cent of which out of control, its dashboard shows. Most of Alberta has a low or moderate fire danger, the dashboard shows. But some pockets, including the High Level Forest Area in northwestern Alberta, where the Sousa Creek fire is burning, still have an elevated risk. The area hasn't had rainfall like the other regions, but there is some precipitation in the forecast this week, Story said. "We'll have to wait and see what actually accumulates from it," she said. Hooka-Nooza said the weather in other regions allowed more firefighting resources to be sent to the area. Although the fire danger in most places has dropped, Story noted that there is still a lot of time left before wildfire season ends in October, and said the potential fire risk can change quickly based on the weather conditions.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dene Tha' First Nation hopes to lift evacuation order this week, Chief says
Dene Tha' First Nation, in northwestern Alberta, has a re-entry plan for wildfire evacuees that it hopes to execute in the coming days, according to Chief Wilfred Hooka-Nooza. The First Nation issued an evacuation order more than two weeks ago, on May 29, due to the Sousa Creek wildfire, which is burning several kilometres south of the community of Chateh, roughly 660 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. The fire is still out of control as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Alberta Wildfire dashboard. But Hooka-Nooza told CBC News that the fire's boundary has been held five to eight kilometres from Chateh. The First Nation developed a re-entry plan, which it had hoped to put into action Sunday, he said. But now the hope is to start returning people to the community Tuesday. The plan is a phased approach that would strategically allow people home over a three-day period, with people who have respiratory health concerns arriving last, Hooka-Nooza said. Wildfires forced thousands of Albertans from their homes earlier this month. But communities have recently lifted evacuation orders and alerts amid recent cool temperatures and rainy weather. "It's been a welcome reprieve from the hot, dry conditions that we have seen previous to this, that did ignite and spread a lot of the fires that are burning across the province," Melissa Story, an Alberta Wildfire provincial information officer, told CBC News Sunday morning. Alberta Wildfire reported 57 total active wildfires throughout the province as of 4 p.m. MT Sunday, about 40 per cent of which out of control, its dashboard shows. Most of Alberta has a low or moderate fire danger, the dashboard shows. But some pockets, including the High Level Forest Area in northwestern Alberta, where the Sousa Creek fire is burning, still have an elevated risk. The area hasn't had rainfall like the other regions, but there is some precipitation in the forecast this week, Story said. "We'll have to wait and see what actually accumulates from it," she said. Hooka-Nooza said the weather in other regions allowed more firefighting resources to be sent to the area. Although the fire danger in most places has dropped, Story noted that there is still a lot of time left before wildfire season ends in October, and said the potential fire risk can change quickly based on the weather conditions.
CBC
07-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires in western, northern Alberta trigger air quality warnings for some regions
Wildfire smoke has sparked the national weather agency to issue air quality warnings around the county of Grande Prairie and the northwestern corner of Alberta, and air quality statements for much of northern Alberta. Parts of central Alberta, particularly the greater Edmonton area, are also expected to experience poor air this weekend, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) air quality health index, which measures how safe the air is to breathe. The Alberta Wildfire dashboard shows several out-of-control fires around the Alberta-B.C. border, including one that forced the County of Grande Prairie in western Alberta to expand an existing evacuation order Friday evening. The Sousa Creek fire in the High Level Forest Area is still out of control, spanning nearly 39,600 hectares as of 8 a.m. MT Saturday, the dashboard shows. The flames are burning just south of Chateh, Alta., about 660 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, and forced Dene Tha' First Nation to evacuate people living there on May 29. The ECCC air quality warnings say wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in those regions. The agency advises people in those places to limit their time outdoors, including rescheduling or cancelling outdoor sports or events. The greater Edmonton area, including places like Fort Saskatchewan and Drayton Valley, are expected to experience high risk air quality throughout the weekend, the ECCC air quality health index shows. Red Deer, Alta., a city about 140 kilometres south of Edmonton, could see moderate risk air Saturday, which worsens Sunday, the index shows.
National Post
01-06-2025
- Climate
- National Post
Wildfire updates: 25 Alberta blazes deemed out of control Wildfires rage in northeast B.C.
Article content Friday Article content Wildfires of note grow from four to seven in one day Article content As of Friday, the province listed seven wildfires of note, up three from Thursday morning numbers — the Edith Lake wildfire, Red Earth East Complex (made up of a number of wildfires near the community of Chipewyan Lake), a wildfire south of Winefred Lake, a wildfire west of Mercoal, a wildfire east of Peerless Trout First Nation, a wildfire near Whitefish Lake First Nation only 5 kilometres from a nearby highway and a wildfire near Marten Beach. Article content The fire near Marten Beach has crossed the Highway 88 and the roadway has been closed at Highway 754 north of Slave Lake. Article content Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are deployed at all fires of note, with airtankers using retardant drops to build containment lines and some crews using night vision-equipped helicopters to contain fires overnight. Article content Residents of Westlock County and the Loon Lake, Peerless Trout and Dene Tha First Nations were fleeing wildfires after evacuation orders were issued Thursday, as were inhabitants of Red Earth Creek. Article content Underlining the gravity of the situation at Red Earth Creek, Alberta Wildfire officials warned the evacuation route to Peace River on Highway 88 was being menaced by flames 'and the status could change at any moment . . . you may experience smoky conditions on the Highway to Peace River.' Article content Conklin was put on alert for possible evacuation Thursday afternoon, with an out-of-control blaze spreading toward the community. Article content Meanwhile, the Whitefish River Community was also on evacuation notice, due to concern over shifting winds that might cause a nearby wildfire change direction and put residents at risk. Article content About 1,300 residents of Swan Hills evacuated earlier this week to nearby Whitecourt in the face of fires that also disrupted oilfield operations. Article content Other Alberta communities, including the Village of Boyle and Thorhild County, issued local state of emergencies in May as a result of fast-moving and out-of-control fires. Article content Alberta Emergency Alert regularly updates its website and X account with ongoing evacuation orders and fire alerts. Article content Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has declared a provincial state of emergency in response to several rapidly spreading wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their northern communities. Article content Moe made the announcement Thursday to begin a wildfire update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Article content 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with …,' Moe told the media. 'There are no resources on the shelf. They're all being deployed to support Saskatchewan.' Article content Following a similar announcement by Manitoba on Wednesday, Saskatchewan became the second province in as many days to declare a state of emergency. Article content As of Thursday, more than 8,300 people from northern Saskatchewan were under evacuation. In Manitoba, that number is 17,000 people — the largest wildfire evacuation in recent memory, according to Premier Wab Kinew. Article content My buddy sent these to me last night... The entire town of Flin Flon, MB 🇨🇦 is now on mandatory evacuation... He has a hunting, outback and fishing business in the direct line of the fire Please send Prayers for everyone affected by the Flin Flon Wildfires 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 — lisahsmithlhs (@lisahsmithlhs) May 28, 2025 Article content B.C. has sent crews and resources to both prairie provinces, as well as Ontario, to assist in fire-fighting efforts, according to the province's Minister of Forests. Article content Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management, Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, has approved Manitoba's request for federal assistance and said crews will assisting with urgent air evacs as well as any other supports needed. Additionally, Olszewski will be meeting with Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Minister of Public Safety, to discuss the response to Saskatchewan's fire situation. Article content With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes. Article content 'This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,' says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province. Article content In Alberta, evacuation orders are also increasing in the northern part of the province as out-of-control fires rage. Article content 'Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions,' CIFFC says. 'Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction is put to use, and international help has been requested.' Article content Article content In Alberta, go to That's where you'll find a wildfire map, dashboard of incidents and forest area updates. In British Columbia, the daily wildfire update is at In Saskatchewan, the active wildifre situation map can be found here and reports on bans along with fire bulletins are here. In Manitoba, wildfire information, reports and updates are here. Article content What do the different wildfire statuses mean? Article content Turned over: Alberta Wildfire says a wildfire is 'turned over' when a fire that is under control is given to another agency to extinguish it. Mutual aid: If a fire is a 'mutual aid wildfire,' it's a wildfire that has started in a municipal district and that district's firefighters may need help fighting it from Alberta Wildfire. Under control: If firefighters and equipment have successfully managed a fire to make sure it won't grow, it's classified as being 'under control.' Being held: Based on expected weather and the resources already fighting a particular fire, a fire that is 'being held' means it's not expected to spread. Out of control: A wildfire is growing, or expected to grow, and thus its status is one of being out of control. Source: Government of Alberta Article content How can I help prevent wildfires? Article content The number of wildfires caused by humans vs. lightning strikes has varied over the years, but Natural Resources Canada reports that in 2023 lightning caused about 50 per cent of all fires. Those fires, however, represented, about 85 per cent of the annual area consumed by flames. Article content When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don't start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night. If you're in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels. Article content Rules for everyone? Don't flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle's window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks. Article content
National Post
01-06-2025
- Climate
- National Post
Western Canada wildfires: 26 Alberta blazes deemed out of control, some oilsands sites emptying
Article content Article content Friday Article content As of Friday, the province listed seven wildfires of note, up three from Thursday morning numbers — the Edith Lake wildfire, Red Earth East Complex (made up of a number of wildfires near the community of Chipewyan Lake), a wildfire south of Winefred Lake, a wildfire west of Mercoal, a wildfire east of Peerless Trout First Nation, a wildfire near Whitefish Lake First Nation only 5 kilometres from a nearby highway and a wildfire near Marten Beach. Article content The fire near Marten Beach has crossed the Highway 88 and the roadway has been closed at Highway 754 north of Slave Lake. Article content Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are deployed at all fires of note, with airtankers using retardant drops to build containment lines and some crews using night vision-equipped helicopters to contain fires overnight. Article content Residents of Westlock County and the Loon Lake, Peerless Trout and Dene Tha First Nations were fleeing wildfires after evacuation orders were issued Thursday, as were inhabitants of Red Earth Creek. Article content Underlining the gravity of the situation at Red Earth Creek, Alberta Wildfire officials warned the evacuation route to Peace River on Highway 88 was being menaced by flames 'and the status could change at any moment . . . you may experience smoky conditions on the Highway to Peace River.' Article content Conklin was put on alert for possible evacuation Thursday afternoon, with an out-of-control blaze spreading toward the community. Article content Meanwhile, the Whitefish River Community was also on evacuation notice, due to concern over shifting winds that might cause a nearby wildfire change direction and put residents at risk. Article content About 1,300 residents of Swan Hills evacuated earlier this week to nearby Whitecourt in the face of fires that also disrupted oilfield operations. Article content Other Alberta communities, including the Village of Boyle and Thorhild County, issued local state of emergencies in May as a result of fast-moving and out-of-control fires. Article content Thursday Article content Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has declared a provincial state of emergency in response to several rapidly spreading wildfires that have forced thousands of people to evacuate their northern communities. Article content Moe made the announcement Thursday to begin a wildfire update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Article content 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with …,' Moe told the media. 'There are no resources on the shelf. They're all being deployed to support Saskatchewan.' Article content Following a similar announcement by Manitoba on Wednesday, Saskatchewan became the second province in as many days to declare a state of emergency. Article content As of Thursday, more than 8,300 people from northern Saskatchewan were under evacuation. In Manitoba, that number is 17,000 people — the largest wildfire evacuation in recent memory, according to Premier Wab Kinew. Article content My buddy sent these to me last night... The entire town of Flin Flon, MB 🇨🇦 is now on mandatory evacuation... He has a hunting, outback and fishing business in the direct line of the fire Please send Prayers for everyone affected by the Flin Flon Wildfires 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 — lisahsmithlhs (@lisahsmithlhs) May 28, 2025 Article content B.C. has sent crews and resources to both prairie provinces, as well as Ontario, to assist in fire-fighting efforts, according to the province's Minister of Forests. Article content Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management, Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, has approved Manitoba's request for federal assistance and said crews will assisting with urgent air evacs as well as any other supports needed. Additionally, Olszewski will be meeting with Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Minister of Public Safety, to discuss the response to Saskatchewan's fire situation. Article content We have an update on @BCGovFireInfo support for our neighbours out East: We are deploying another 50+ BCWS fighters to Manitoba, in addition to the nearly 100 in Ontario. We're also sending resources to Saskatchewan, in response to wildfire activity. #TeamCanada #BCWS — Ravi Parmar (@rparmar_BC) May 29, 2025 Article content Article content With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes. Article content 'This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,' says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province. Article content In Alberta, evacuation orders are also increasing in the northern part of the province as out-of-control fires rage. Article content 'Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions,' CIFFC says. 'Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction is put to use, and international help has been requested.' Article content Article content In Alberta, go to That's where you'll find a wildfire map, dashboard of incidents and forest area updates. In British Columbia, the daily wildfire update is at In Saskatchewan, the active wildifre situation map can be found here and reports on bans along with fire bulletins are here. In Manitoba, wildfire information, reports and updates are here. Article content What do the different wildfire statuses mean? Article content Turned over: Alberta Wildfire says a wildfire is 'turned over' when a fire that is under control is given to another agency to extinguish it. Mutual aid: If a fire is a 'mutual aid wildfire,' it's a wildfire that has started in a municipal district and that district's firefighters may need help fighting it from Alberta Wildfire. Under control: If firefighters and equipment have successfully managed a fire to make sure it won't grow, it's classified as being 'under control.' Being held: Based on expected weather and the resources already fighting a particular fire, a fire that is 'being held' means it's not expected to spread. Out of control: A wildfire is growing, or expected to grow, and thus its status is one of being out of control. Source: Government of Alberta Article content How can I help prevent wildfires? Article content The number of wildfires caused by humans vs. lightning strikes has varied over the years, but Natural Resources Canada reports that in 2023 lightning caused about 50 per cent of all fires. Those fires, however, represented, about 85 per cent of the annual area consumed by flames. Article content When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don't start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night. Article content If you're in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels. Article content Rules for everyone? Don't flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle's window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks. Article content
