Update 12: Northwest Alberta wildfires (June 2 at 6:30 p.m.)

Press Release

Beginning Monday at 10 a.m., residents can return to High Level, the surrounding areas of Mackenzie County and the Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh.

Returning residents will be under an evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice if conditions change.

The following communities remain on evacuation alert:

• 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, north of the Peace River to Township Road 1110, west of Range Road 120, and east of Highway 35 south of High Level; and south of the Peace River to Township Road 1040, west of Range Road 120 and east of Steep Hill Creek

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:

• Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
• Keg River, Carcajou, and all residents from the northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
  • 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
• Steen River
• The Trout Lake area of Peerless Trout First Nation
• MD of Lesser Slave River
• Hamlet of Marten Beach

Current situation

• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 280,000 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, approximately 11 km north of Lutose, is about 24,700 hectares.
• McMillan Wildfire Complex, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is more than 212,386 hectares.
• Battle Wildfire Complex in Peace River is about 53,900 hectares.
• Provincial resources on the ground include more than 2,300 wildland and structural firefighters and staff, approximately 228 helicopters and 28 air tankers and heavy equipment.
• Residents should check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
• Approximately 11,000 people have been evacuated.
• 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.
• Much of northern 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
  • forced to leave due to an evacuation order
  • forced to leave your residence (primary, working or vacationing) due to a mandatory evacuation order – current communities include:
    • High Level
    • Paddle Prairie
    • Bushe River
    • Chateh
    • Meander River
  • paid for most of your costs to evacuate
• 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.
• Applications 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.
  • Apply in-person at any Alberta Supports Centre.
  • Before going to an Alberta Supports Centre, please check the status of the area to ensure it is safe.
• If you are visiting an Alberta Support Centre, please bring:
  • Photo identification
  • Proof of residence or presence in the community
  • Identification for partner/spouse and/or dependents children if claiming for them
• If you have questions, contact Alberta Supports: 1-877-644-9992.
• More than 6,600 individuals have received evacuee support, and more than $6.8 million has been distributed.

Reception and call centres

• Reception centres are open at:
  • Slave Lake Legacy Centre (400 6 Avenue NE)
  • High Prairie Gordon Buchanan Centre (5413 49 Street)
  • Grande Prairie Regional College (10726 106 Avenue)
  • Peace River Misery Mountain Ski Hill (10408 89 Street)
  • La Crete Heritage Centre (25411 Township Road 1060, south of La Crete)
  • Fort Vermilion Community Cultural Complex (5001 44 Avenue)
  • Dene Wellness Centre (In K’atl’ Odeeche First Nation, 17 kilometres east of Hay River)
  • Calling Lake Recreation Centre (2870 Central Drive)
  • Back Lakes Arena (249 Red Earth)
• Evacuation reception centre hours can be found at emergency.alberta.ca.
• Government’s call centre at 310-4455 will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Highway updates

• To stay informed on all road closures due to the wildfires, visit 511.Alberta.ca or download the mobile app.
• Highway 35 from High Level to the Northwest Territories border is open at this time. Emergency management officials are monitoring highway and wildfire conditions closely. Authorities may close the highway without warning if conditions change.
• The following highways are closed:
  • Highway 35, south of High Level to 2nd Street within the Town of Manning.
  • Highway 692 near Hawk Hills.
  • Highway 695, East and West, including Keg River.
  • Highway 697, from Highway 35 to Range Road 185, west of La Crete.
  • Highway 813 from Wabasca to Sandy Lake closed.
  • Highway 754 from Highway 88 to Wabasca.
• The La Crete Ferry is closed.

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 askibcwest@ibc.ca. Information about insurance coverage is available online at ibc.ca/ab/disaster/alberta-wildfire.

Justice and legal matters

• All High Level, Fort Vermillion and Chateh court matters will be heard in Peace River. Call the Peace River court at 780-624-6256 for inquiries on matters scheduled for this week and next. Matters will be held by phone, if necessary, but you must register to do so.
• In many cases, tickets can be paid online. For any other inquiries requiring direction from the court about Peace River and High Level court matters, call the Peace River court at 780-624-6256.
• 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

• 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, 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 M.D. of Opportunity. Any campground reservations will be refunded. The boat launch is available for public day use, including for anglers participating in the fishing season starting June 1.

Boil water advisory

• Boil water advisories remain in place for Meander River (Dene Tha’ First Nation) and North Tall Cree (Little Red River Cree Nation). Although power has been restored, the boil water advisories will remain in place until water testing is complete.

Health

• Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour help line at 1-877-303-2642.
• 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.
• 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
  • 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 province-wide 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

• emergency.alberta.ca
• Alberta Emergency Alert app
• Alberta Wildfire app

Backgrounder

Previous updates

Update 11: June 1 (6:30 p.m.)

New evacuation alert in place for:

• Approximately 12,000 residents in Mackenzie County, north of the Peace River to Township Road 1110, west of Range Road 120, and east of Highway 35 south of High Level; and south of the Peace River to Township Road 1040, west of Range Road 120 and east of Steep Hill Creek should be prepared to evacuate on short notice.

The following communities remain on eight-hour evacuation alert:

• 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

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:

• Town of High Level and Mackenzie County areas south/southeast of town
• Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh
• Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
• Keg River, Carcajou, and all residents from the northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
  • 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
• Steen River
• The Trout Lake area of Peerless Trout First Nation
• MD of Lesser Slave River
  • Hamlet of Marten Beach
• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 280,000 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, approximately 11 km north of Lutose, is about 24,700 hectares.
• McMillan Wildfire Complex, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is more than 212,386 hectares.
• Battle Wildfire Complex in Peace River is about 53,900 hectares.
• Provincial resources on the ground include more than 2,300 wildland and structural firefighters and staff, approximately 228 helicopters and 28 air tankers and heavy equipment.
• Residents should check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
• Approximately 11,000 people have been evacuated.
• AHS has evacuated 19 patients from the Manning Community Health Centre as a precaution due to smoke concerns and approximately 37 patients from a hospital in Fort Vermillion.
• People driving in fire-affected areas should carry enough fuel, as it may not be readily available.

Update 10: May 31, 2019 (5 p.m.)

• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 237,000 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, approximately 11 km north of Lutose, is about 24,700 hectares.
• McMillan Wildfire Complex, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is over 178,000 hectares.
• Battle Wildfire Complex in Peace River is over 52,600 hectares.
• Provincial resources on the ground include over 1,892 wildland firefighters and staff, approximately 142 helicopters and 28 air tankers and heavy equipment.
• New mandatory evacuations have been issued for:
  • The Trout Lake area of Peerless Trout First Nation
• Cabinet approved two orders in council to release funds to cover emergency response, including structural firefighting efforts, evacuation costs, reception centre costs, and recovery costs including fire prevention, suppression, reclamation and reforestation.
• Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:
  • Town of High Level and Mackenzie County areas south/southeast of town
  • Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh
  • Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
  • Keg River, Carcajou, and all residents from the northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
  • 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
  • Steen River
• The Town of Slave Lake is on an eight-hour evacuation alert. This is not an evacuation order, but residents should be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
• Residents should check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
• Officials are preparing for residents to re-enter High Level once public safety has been confirmed.
• Approximately 11,000 people have been evacuated due to wildfire activity.
• People driving through the area should carry enough fuel for travel as fuel may not be readily available.
• A request was made for federal aviation support and a logistical team to help communities impacted by wildfires.

Update 9: May 30, 2019 (7 p.m.)

• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, has grown to over 230,000 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, formerly west of Steen River, is about 17,000 hectares.
• McMillan Complex wildfire, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is over 74,500 hectares.
• Maria Lake wildfire was last estimated at 5,500 hectares in size and is expected to burn into the larger McMillan Complex wildfire.
• Battle Complex wildfire in Peace River is over 44,000 hectares.
• Provincial resources on the ground include over 2,300 wildland firefighters and staff, approximately 200 helicopters and 27 air tankers and heavy equipment.
• Cabinet approved two orders in council to release funds to cover emergency response, including structural firefighting efforts, evacuation costs, reception centre costs, and recovery costs including fire prevention, suppression, reclamation and reforestation.
• New mandatory evacuations have been issued for:
  • Keg River, Carcajou and all residents from the northern border of the County of Northern Lights to Township Road 922 (Notikewin Road)
  • Sandy Lake
  • Wabasca, the Bigstone Cree Nation and Chipewyan Lake Village
  • Hamlet of Marten Beach
  • Lesser Slave Lak Provincial Park
• Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:
  • Town of High Level and Mackenzie County areas south/southeast of town
  • Dene Tha’ First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh
  • Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement
• The Town of Slave Lake is on an 8-hour evacuation alert. This is not an evacuation order, but residents should be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
• Residents should check Alberta Emergency Alerts for more detailed and frequently updated information.
• Officials are preparing for residents to re-enter High Level once public safety has been confirmed.
• Approximately 7,500 evacuees have registered at an evacuee reception centre.

Update 8: May 29, 2019 (6 p.m.)

• Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres southwest of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire has grown to more than 150,000 hectares.
• Resources on the ground include about 390 wildland firefighters and staff, 28 helicopters and heavy equipment.
• Cabinet approved two orders in council to release funds to cover emergency response including structural firefighting efforts, evacuation costs, reception centre costs, and recovery costs as well as fire prevention, suppression, reclamation and reforestation costs.
• Parts of northern Alberta remain under a special air quality advisory.
• New mandatory evacuations have been issued for:
  • La Crete Ferry Campground
  • Steen River
  • Hawk Hills
  • Keg River
  • Carcajou
  • Residents living between Township Road 922 and north to Northern Lights County.
• Officials are preparing for residents to re-enter High Level once public safety has been confirmed.

Update 7: May 28, 2019 (5 p.m.)

• Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres southwest of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire has grown to more than 130,000 hectares.
• Parts of northern Alberta remain under a special air quality advisory.
• Resources on the ground include about 420 wildland firefighters, 168 structural fighters and staff, supported by helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment.
• A voluntary evacuation is in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and areas north of High Level.

Update 6: May 27, 2019 (5 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres southwest of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire has grown to more than 127,000 hectares.
• Communities in the north of the province may experience heavy smoke from the fires in the next 24 hours.
• Resources on the ground include about 400 wildland firefighters, 194 structural fighters and staff on the ground, supported by 28 helicopters, eight air tankers and 46 pieces of heavy equipment.
• Evacuation centres have registered approximately 4,470 people as of May 27 at noon.
• A voluntary evacuation is in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and areas north of High Level.
• The province is providing one-time financial support to evacuees displaced by northwest wildfires.
• You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you were:
  • living, working or vacationing in the affected area
  • forced to leave due to an evacuation order
  • paid for most of your costs to evacuate
• Albertans who qualify will receive $1,250 for each adult and $500 for each dependent child.
• Applications are open:
  • Online (Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to go through)
  • In person at evacuation reception centres
  • If you require assistance registering, call 310-4455. If you’re having technical issues, contact My Alberta Digital ID at 1-844-643-2789 (Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
• Evacuees can apply online for employment insurance using this code: 4812014812201900. Visit Service Canada to apply: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
• Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.

Update 5: May 26, 2019 (4 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres southwest of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire has grown to more than 105,000 hectares.
• Communities in the north of the province may experience heavy smoke from the fires in the next 24 hours.
• Resources on the ground include about 400 wildland firefighters, 194 structural fighters and staff on the ground, supported by 28 helicopters, eight air tankers and 46 pieces of heavy equipment.
• Evacuation centres have registered approximately 4,300 people as of May 26 at noon.
• A voluntary evacuation is in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and areas north of High Level.
• The province is providing one-time financial support to evacuees displaced by northwest wildfires.
• You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you were:
  • living, working or vacationing in the affected area
  • forced to leave due to an evacuation order
  • paid for most of your costs to evacuate
• Albertans who qualify will receive $1,250 for each adult and $500 for each dependent child.
• Applications are open:
  • Online – started Sunday, May 26 (Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to go through)
  • In person at evacuation reception centres – starting Monday, May 27
  • If you require assistance registering, call 310-4455
• You can apply online for employment insurance using this code: 4812014812201900. The regular wait time is waived. To apply: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

• Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.

Update 4: May 24, 2019 (5 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres southwest of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire has grown to almost 100,000 hectares.
• Resources on the ground include about 261 wildland firefighters, 154 structural fighters and staff on the ground, supported by 28 helicopters, eight air tankers and 46 pieces of heavy equipment.
• Continuing dry and windy conditions in most of Alberta have increased the danger of forest fires.
• Evacuation centres have registered approximately 3,700 people as of May 24 at 2 p.m.
• A voluntary evacuation is in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and areas north of High Level.
• The province will provide one-time financial support to evacuees displaced by northwest wildfires.
• You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you were:
  • living, working or vacationing in the affected area
  • forced to leave due to an evacuation order
  • paid for most of your costs to evacuate
• Albertans who qualify will receive $1,250 for each adult and $500 for each dependent child.
• Applications will open:
  • Online – starting Sunday, May 26 (Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to go through)
  • In person at evacuation reception centres – starting Monday, May 27
  • If you require assistance registering, call 310-4455
• Alberta Health Services evacuated 19 patients from the Manning Community Health Centre due to smoke from the wildfires.
• Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.
• Alberta Emergency Alerts has cancelled the High Level and Bushe River Reserve emergency alerts and have consolidated them into a larger Mackenzie County alert.

Update 3: May 23, 2019 (4:50 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres south of the Town of High Level in Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire is almost 92,000 hectares.
• Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Emergency Management Agency and local authorities are cooperating in the response.
• Albertans should be prepared to be away from home longer than initially planned.
• Evacuees are asked to report to reception centres in Peace River, High Prairie, Grande Prairie, Slave Lake, Fort Vermilion and Hay River.
• Firefighters are focusing efforts on containing the wildfire outside High Level.
• Yesterday, a break in conditions allowed a controlled burn between the wildfire and the town to consume materials that could have become fuel for the wildfire.
• Peace River is reporting reduced visibility due to the smoke which is expected to stay until tomorrow.
• Resources on the ground include about 143 wildland firefighters, 154 structural fighters and staff on the ground, supported by 28 helicopters, air tankers, 10 structural protection units and heavy machinery.
• Continuing dry and windy conditions in most of Alberta have increased the danger of forest fires.
• Fire bans and off-highway vehicle restrictions are now in place for central and northern areas of the province.
• Approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated from High Level and the neighbouring communities.
• Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for the Town of High Level and parts of Mackenzie County south of High Level.
• Dene Tha’ First Nation declared an evacuation order for Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh.
• A voluntary evacuation is in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and areas north of High Level.
• Alberta Health Services evacuated 15 patients from the Manning Community Health Centre due to smoke from the wildfires.
• The emergency department at Manning Community Health Centre remains open.
• Power, wireless services and gas have been restored to the Town of High Level, Mackenzie County and the Dene Tha’ First Nation.
• Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.

Update 2: May 22, 2019 (4:50 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately five kilometres south of the Town of High Level within Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire is almost 92,000 hectares.
• Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Emergency Management Agency and local authorities are cooperating in the response.
• Alberta Wildfire has about 76 firefighters and staff on the ground, supported by nine helicopters, air tankers, 10 structural protection units and heavy machinery.
• Winds are forecast from the east and northeast, driving the fire away from High Level and neighbouring communities.
• Continuing dry and windy conditions in most of Alberta have increased the danger of forest fires. Fire bans and off-highway vehicle restrictions are now in place for central and northern areas of the province.
• Approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated from High Level and the neighbouring communities.
• Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for the Town of High Level and parts of Mackenzie County south of High Level.
• Dene Tha’ First Nation declared an evacuation order for Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh.
• Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.
• Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.

Update 1: May 21, 2019 (4:50 p.m.)

• The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning approximately five kilometres south of the Town of High Level within Mackenzie County.
• This out-of-control wildfire is almost 80,000 hectares.
• Alberta Wildfire, Alberta Emergency Management Agency and local authorities are cooperating in the response.
• Alberta Wildfire has about 90 firefighters and staff on the ground, supported by 25 helicopters, air tankers, 10 structural protection units and heavy machinery.
• Hot and dry conditions in northern Alberta are forecast to continue for the foreseeable future, with the fire danger expected to increase.
• Evacuation orders are in place for the Town of High Level and parts of Mackenzie County south of High Level.
• Dene Tha’ First Nation declared an evacuation order for Bushe River and Meander River. Chateh is under an evacuation alert, with high-risk individuals being evacuated.
• Approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated.

Detailed information is available on emergency.alberta.ca, which is updated frequently.

Media inquiries

Provincial Operations Centre Media Line
780-427-0314

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