Update 19: Northwest Alberta wildfires (June 12 at 5 p.m.)

Press Release

*Next Update will be released on Friday, June 14 unless the situation changes

To date, more than 9,800 evacuees from the following communities have been approved to return home:

• High Level
• Mackenzie County
• Dene Tha’ First Nation
• County of Northern Lights, south of Twin Lakes Campground including Notikewin
• Marten Beach (MD of Lesser Slave Lake)
• Keg River/Carcajou
• Peerless and Trout Lake communities
• Bigstone Cree Nation 166 A, B, C and D
• Municipal District of Opportunity 17
  • Hamlet of Wabasca-Desmarais
  • Hamlet of Sandy Lake
  • Hamlet of Chipewyan Lake

Evacuees returning received re-entry packages with advice on what to do when they arrived home.

Evacuees can find tips on re-entry by visiting https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx. Information includes making sure all your utilities are working, cleaning up and how to deal with door-to-door salespeople offering services and insurance.

Approximately 700 evacuees are displaced due to a mandatory evacuation order for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement.

The following communities remain on evacuation alert:

• Bigstone Cree Nation 166 A, B, C and D
• Hamlet of Wabasca-Desmarais
• Hamlet of Sandy Lake
• Hamlet of Chipewyan Lake
• County of Northern Lights
  • North of Township Road 910 to the north county border, including the Twin Lakes Campground, Keg River, Carcajou and the Town of Manning

Current situation:

• Chuckegg Creek wildfire, southwest of High Level, is about 269,648 hectares.
• Jackpot Creek wildfire, approximately 11 kilometres north of Lutose, is about 28,167 hectares.
• McMillan Wildfire Complex, southwest of Bigstone Cree Nation, is more than 263,969 hectares.
• Battle Wildfire Complex in Peace River is about 55,179 hectares.
• There are more than 2,000 wildland and structural firefighters and staff, approximately 159 helicopters and 22 air tankers and 233 pieces of 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.
• Be cautious of organizations not registered to solicit donations. For information on how you can help, visit https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx.

Visit alberta.ca/emergency for detailed and frequently updated information.

Air quality

• Parts of northwestern Alberta are under a special air quality statement, including High Level, Peace River and Wabasca.
• Visit FireSmoke Canada for information and resources about smoke from wildland fires.

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 smartphone, device or desktop. Interac e-transfers may take 24 hours to process.
• All payment distribution centres are now closed.
• If you need help applying, contact Alberta Supports to find the nearest centre: Toll free: 1-877-644-9992 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) In-person: Find an Alberta Supports Centre.
• More than 11,400 individuals have received evacuee support totaling close to $11.6 million.

Read More: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=639149DDC7527-F161-DDD6-72DD86812E870821

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