ATHABASCA —Athabasca is currently host to a number of evacuees heading south fleeing the Fort McMurray wildfires, but hotel employees said the recent influx is likely temporary.
An employee at the Athabasca Super 8 said between 50 to 60 per cent of guests are short-term Fort McMurray evacuees. Many guests have booked two nights with the hopes they’ll be able to return to their homes shortly, head onto a larger evacuation centre, or stay with family or friends elsewhere.
A Days Inn staff member said in addition to their regular guests, the hotel is fully booked after the influx of evacuees May 14. Full parking lots at both hotels are telling, but Days Inn staff said the number of residents holding over in Athabasca this year is less than the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016.
Residents were initially directed by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to accommodations in Lac La Biche, but as of Tuesday night were being told to head to the Cold Lake Agriplex at 4608 38 Ave. The City of Cold Lake is located 147 kilometres southeast of Lac La Biche along Highways 36 and 55.
Edmonton has also established an evacuation centre at Clareview Community Recreation Centre at 3804 139 Ave with food, pet care, and health care. The Red Cross will have a presence to assist with accomodations.
As the May 13 wildfire southwest of Fort McMurray continues to burn, residents have been evacuating and the province continues to unfold supports for those affected.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, along with Christie Tucker, Alberta Wildfire Information unit manager, and ministers Todd Loewen and Mike Ellis, provided an update on the fire and evacuation order on the provinces YouTube channel.
“As residents rush to leave their homes, I know that this will bring back difficult memories from the devasting fires of 2016, and I’m sure these memories will create fear and uncertainty for many in Fort McMurray.”
Tucker said the fire, also known as MWF017, is nearing 21,000 hectares in size. “As of this morning, the closest point of the fire is about 5.5 kilometres from the Fort McMurray landfill and 4.5 kilometres from the intersection of Highway 63 and 881.
While evacuation orders and alerts remain in place for many communities in the surrounding area, Tucker said Wednesday’s conditions have turned in favour of the crews managing the blaze.
“Active fire behaviour is expected today but it should be less than what we saw yesterday, thanks to cooler temperatures and weaker winds,” added Tucker. “Winds from the northwest at 10 kilometres an hour are expected today, which should push the fire away from Fort McMurray and Highway 63.”
Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said both air and ground suppression efforts are in full swing to contain the fire, as is fireguard construction to protect power lines and structures in the Gregoire subdivision, Fort McMurray First Nation 468, and industrial facilities.
An evacuation order issued for Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace has resulted in approximately 6,000 residents temporarily displaced.
Evacuation alerts remain in place for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurrary First Nation 468, Anzac, and Richards Landing Industrial Park. A fire ban and OHV restriction for the Fort McMurray area is expected to be announced at 2 p.m. today.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said residents of the area, as well as residents of County of Grande Prairie should keep up to date with alerts and orders at RMWB.ca, and evacuees are encouraged to register at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca for resources, updates, and re-entry plans.
“To the firefighters braving the flames to defend Fort McMurray and other areas of the province, we appreciate your heroic efforts more than we can say,” added Smith.
