Wildfire prompts evacuation order for part of MD of Peace No. 135

CBC News | Posted: April 24, 2024 12:01 AM | Last Updated: April 25

Order expected to be lifted Thursday morning

Image | Peace River evacuation

Caption: Some residents of Municipal District of Peace No. 135 have been told to evacuate due to a wildfire burning southeast of Township Road 830, about one kilometre north of the Peace River. An evacuation alert is also in effect for the surrounding area. (Municipal District of Peace 135)

Poor internet connection? Access a low-bandwidth, accessible version of this story on CBC Lite.

Some residents in northwestern Alberta who had to evacuate their homes due to the threat of wildfire are expected to be able to return home Thursday morning.

The evacuation order issued for the Municipal District of Peace No. 135 is expected to be lifted at 6 a.m. Thursday, the MD said in an FB post. However, those residents will still be on alert and will need to be prepared to leave on one-hour notice.

The order is for residents in the area of Township Road 830, south to the Peace River, and from Highway 684, east to the Peace River.

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency issued the order at 5:27 p.m. Tuesday, and it was updated at 7:06 p.m.

"Everyone else in the MD must prepare for a possible evacuation on short notice, especially those near this fire," the advisory cautioned residents.

The MD has a population of more than 1,700 residents.

WATCH | Officials prepare for intense wildfire season:

Media Edmonton : Long and difficult wildfire season ahead, say Alberta officials

Caption: Alberta firefighters are grappling with 64 fires still burning from the 2023 season, as the province gears up for another challenging fire season.

Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage.

MD officials said on social media that the RCMP are on location and coordinating evacuation efforts.

According to municipal updates, the fire has continued to grow rapidly.

In an update around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Alberta Wildfire said the fire had consumed approximately 1,500 hectares and is continuing to burn out of control.

"Firefighters and emergency personnel are on scene fighting the fire and protecting properties," municipal officials said in a statement Tuesday.

Reeve Robert Willing told CBC News said the dry conditions in the area have made it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire.

"It's in an area that's that's quite rugged, It's in the Peace River Valley," Willing said Tuesday.

"It's very dry, and there's very little access into the area. So the loss of potential loss of homes is fairly minimal. But at the same time, the fire moves rapidly over very rough terrain."

Inmates moved to secure space

Willing, who lives one kilometre away from the fire, said he may have to prepare to evacuate should the order be expanded.

The municipal fire department, Town of Grimshaw, Town of Peace River, County of Northern Lights and Alberta Forestry are collaborating to contain the fire.

The provincial department is using water bombers and helicopters equipped with water buckets.

Read the latest news about Alberta wildfires here

A spokesperson for the province said inmates at the Peace River Correctional Centre will be evacuated to a safe and secure space, and are under no imminent threat from the fire.

Road closures are also in effect according to advisories from 511 Alberta. Highway 684 from Highway 740 to Peace River Correctional Centre is affected with all lanes being closed.

Fire crews are on scene along the highway, southwest of Peace River, with people being asked to avoid the area.

Image | Peace River evacuation order

Caption: Residents are being told to head to Grimshaw, Alta., located just northwest of the evacuation area. (www.alberta.ca/aea)

Wildfire prompts evacuation order for part of MD of Peace No. 135

Inmates moved to secure space

More Stories Like This