Latest news with #LoonRiverFirstNation
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Rainy weather lifts fire bans in High Level, Fort McMurray
Wet weather and cooler temperatures have lifted fire bans in High Level and Fort McMurray forest areas as the risk of wildfires declines. However, Alberta Wildfire says lightning from rainstorms have sparked new fires in recent days. While outdoor wood fires and barbecue charcoal briquettes are permitted while the fire ban is lifted, Alberta Wildfire says fireworks are prohibited in the forest protection area unless special permission is given. You can confirm advisories, restrictions and bans in your area here. There are 50 wildfires burning across the province as of Friday afternoon. Fourteen are classified as out of control. There have been 12 new wildfires since Thursday. Red Earth Creek complex One of the Red Earth Creek complex fires can be seen on June 3, 2025. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire) Evacuation orders for Peerless Lake, Trout Lake and Chipewyan Lake remain in place while several blazes that make up the Red Earth East Complex continue to burn out of control. Loon River First Nation, Red Earth Creek and the Blueberry Mountain area still remain on an evacuation alert.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
2 northern Alberta communities to return home almost a month after fleeing wildfire
One of several fires that make up the Red Earth Creek Creek complex can be seen in a photo from June 2, 2025. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire) Three communities in northern Alberta will welcome home residents displaced by wildfires. For some, it's been almost a month since they left. Evacuation orders for Red Earth Creek and Loon River First Nation will be lifted on Wednesday. Red Earth Creek was evacuated on May 28 and Loon Lake was evacuated early the next day. To the west, Saddle Hills County lifted its evacuation order on Tuesday for the Blueberry Mountain area. It was first issued on June 13. An evacuation alert remains in effect for returning residents in all three communities. Evacuation orders remained in effect for Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake due the Red Earth East fire complex, which is made up of 10 wildfires in the Slave Lake forest area. Those communities were all evacuated at the end of May. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 51 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection areas, with 18 classified as out of control. The province said recent rainfall in central Alberta has assisted firefighting efforts but conditions remain dry and warm in the north. A fire ban was in effect for the entire northernmost part of the province. The most up-to-date information can be found on the Alberta Fire Bans website.
CBC
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Heavy rain helps tame wildfire danger in parts of Alberta
Heavy rain over the past week has helped lower wildfire risk in Alberta, but wildfire officials warn that many regions remain on high alert. Environment Canada reported Sunday that total rainfall amounts of more than 100 millimetres have been reported since Friday, with the heaviest rain falling along the foothills and over parts of eastern Alberta. Josee St-Onge, an Alberta Wildfire information officer, said the wildfire risk in central and southern Alberta is now much lower. "We didn't have wildfires burning in the south, but we did in central Alberta, and they've received a lot of moisture, so that's good for firefighters," she said. "On a really large wildfire, that's not necessarily enough to extinguish it because the fires are very large and sometimes they burn really deeply into the ground. But it gives us a really good window to make progress." Areas in far northern Alberta are experiencing extremely dry and warm temperatures, St-Onge said. St-Onge said thunder showers could bring lightning that could start new wildfires. Major wildfires that forced residents to evacuate for several weeks remain active for the communities of Chipewyan Lake, Peerless and Trout Lake, Red Earth Creek and Loon River First Nation. Known as the Red Earth East complex and composed of 10 wildfires centred in the northeastern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area, it one of the largest in the province. Located near Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake First Nation, it is classified as out of control and is about 78,000 hectares in size as of Sunday. About 670,000 hectares of land has burned since the start of wildfire season on March 1. Currently, there are 54 active wildfires burning in the province as of noon Monday. Of those, 27 are considered out of control and four are considered held. The majority of central and southern Alberta remain under fire advisories, including parts of Edmonton and the fire danger risk is hovering between low and moderate for the rest of the week. St-Onge also warns about the dangers that some Canada Day celebration might pose. While she said it should take some time for wildfire danger to crawl back up to high, because of the time it takes for precipitation to evaporate, temperatures in Edmonton and surrounding regions are expected to warm up significantly later this week. "Every time we have a long weekend or a holiday, we do see an increase in human caused wildfires, often from abandoned campfires or campfires that aren't extinguished properly," she said.
Global News
03-06-2025
- General
- Global News
Alberta wildfire evacuees seek mental, emotional supports in Edmonton
As thousands of Albertans remain out of their homes due to nearby wildfire risks, leaders from a northern First Nation are asking Edmontonians for help in easing their people's anxieties and feeling more at home while away from their own. The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is comprised of Loon River First Nation – #476, Lubicon Lake Band – #453, Peerless Trout First Nation – #478, Whitefish Lake First Nation – #459 and Woodland Cree First Nation – #474. The communities are in a remote area of northern Alberta, geographically about halfway between Peace River and Fort McMurray. Hundreds of residents, specifically from the Peerless Trout and Loon River communities, were forced to flee overnight last Wednesday, when the Red Earth East Complex wildfires flared up and threatened the communities. More than 1,400 people were evacuated and are now staying in hotels and temporary accommodations throughout the Edmonton area. Story continues below advertisement 1:43 Alberta continues to cope with dangerous wildfires Richard Yellowknee is from Trout Lake and now staying at a hotel in Edmonton after being ordered to evacuate in the middle of the night. 'It was pretty hard because we had to move out of there at 3 o'clock in the morning,' he said on Tuesday, adding while their basic needs are being taken care of, it's difficult to be away from home, not knowing what they will return to. Yellowknee said his family is filling their days visiting relatives in the Edmonton area, but could use more distractions. 'We need more activities to do, something to do during the day.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We need more activities to do, something to do during the day." The tribal council said while basic needs such as food and shelter are being addressed, there is an immediate need to support the emotional, mental, and social well-being of its community members who have fled south to Edmonton. Story continues below advertisement 'In times like these, even small gestures can have profound meaning. Thank you for considering this opportunity to stand with our families during a time of great need.' To help make the evacuees feel more comfortable and take their minds off the uncertainty awaiting them back home, the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council said on Monday it is seeking community-minded corporate and organizational partners to help provide: Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Sponsored recreational, cultural, or social activities for children, youth, and Elders (for example, Oilers watch nights, family movie outings, crafts, cultural programming, or community meals) Donated venue space or facility use to host events and gatherings Gift cards or financial support to help families meet incidental needs In-kind donations, such as hygiene kits, games, books, comfort items, or supplies for children and seniors 1:43 Shifting winds 'dramatically' impacting Alberta wildfire fight Alberta wildfires update As of publishing on Tuesday afternoon, there were 56 fires burning across the province, and 27 were out of control. Story continues below advertisement The province said after a week of extreme wildfire behavior that included multiple blazes and evacuations, Alberta is now seeing slightly improved conditions. Cooler conditions and high humidity are aiding firefighters, the government said in an update. More than 1,000 Alberta firefighters, contract firefighters and imported firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the province. Aid has also arrived from B.C., Yukon, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Washington State, Oregon and Idaho. There are nine wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area, which is the northern Boreal forest and western foothills regions Alberta Wildfire monitors and leads firefighting efforts in. The Red Earth East Complex is made up of 10 numerous out-of-control wildfires north of Slave Lake and east of highway 88, and include: SWF085 near Chipewyan Lakes, which is currently 132,167 ha; SWF092 near Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake First Nation, which is currently 39,744 ha; SWF094, which is approximately 73,752 ha SWF095 near the Peerless Lake community, which is currently 697 ha. View image in full screen The SWF095 wildfire near the Peerless Lake community, which is part of the Red Earth East Complex, on June 2, 2025. Credit: Alberta Wildfire Because of the Red Earth East Complex fires, evacuation orders remain in effect for Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake, Trout Lake, Red Earth Creek and Loon River First Nation. Story continues below advertisement Alberta Wildfire said the fires in that region saw increased fire behaviour Tuesday morning. 'Crews are working on containment lines around these wildfires and bucketing operations from the air,' the province said. 1:50 More than 50 wildfires raging out of control in northern Alberta Emergency evacuation payment eligibility The Alberta government provides a one-time emergency evacuation payment to residents who had to leave their communities for seven or more days due to mandatory evacuation orders. Eligible adults receive $1,250 and $500 for each dependent child under the age of 18. Evacuees are encouraged to apply for emergency payments online. They can also call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or by visiting an Alberta Supports office for assistance. Story continues below advertisement Poor air quality due to smoke Much of northern Alberta is under an air quality advisory due to the wildfire smoke. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued alerts for an area that stretched from the Edmonton region all the way to the province's boundary with the Northwest Territories. Environment Canada meteorologists said the smoke is not only causing very poor air quality but also reduced visibility, and it changes hour by hour. People in affected areas are reminded to limit their time outdoors and keep windows and doors closed. Conditions were expected to improve by Wednesday. 3:10 Wildfire smoke impact on temperature How to donate aid The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council said if any organizations that are in a position to assist their people — through sponsorship, in-kind donations, or co-hosting activities — their support would be both impactful and deeply appreciated. Story continues below advertisement The community said charitable tax receipts can be provided for financial contributions. Donors were asked to call to email business development director Trevor Thera ( or 780-264-6709) or reach out to Sheena Phillips ( or 780-625-5222.)
Calgary Herald
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Evacuation orders continue, Alberta oil threatened as wildfires ravage province
Orders to evacuate in the face of surging wildfires continued to spread Thursday as hot, dry conditions fuelled forest blazes in the province's north. Article content Article content That comes as much of the province came under a rarely issued red flag watch, meaning if wildfires break out, they're more like to spread and grow due to warmer temperatures, stronger winds and dry forest fuel. Article content Article content Article content Underlining the gravity of the situation at Red Earth Creek, Alberta Wildfire officials warned the evacuation route to Peace River on Hwy. 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 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 Article content This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is issuing a wildfire alert for Loon Lake. There is an out of control fire 10 kms south of the community that has become a danger for Loon Lake. Loon River First Nation has issued a mandatory evacuation… — Alberta Emergency Alert (@AB_EmergAlert) May 29, 2025
