In a week marked by unrelenting wind, dry conditions, and fast-moving flames, northern Alberta residents faced a stark reminder of the power of nature—and the strength of community.
On May 6, separate wildfires erupted near Boyle and in Westlock County, forcing states of local emergency, triggering evacuations, and igniting a regional emergency response effort involving fire crews, provincial resources, and concerned citizens alike.
The most dramatic scenes unfolded in Boyle, where a fire along Highway 831 surged northward, fuelled by strong winds and springtime tinder. As it approached within two kilometres of the village, a full evacuation order was issued at 10:49 p.m. for Boyle and surrounding Athabasca County residents. Local crews were soon joined by reinforcements from across the province. A berm was hastily constructed to protect the village, and aerial support was brought in to slow the advance.
Among the evacuees was longtime Boyle resident Breanna Mackenzie, who fled with her two young children and grandmother while her husband, a volunteer firefighter, remained behind to fight the blaze. “I begged him to stay safe,” she recalled. “It just felt a little lonely in a way.”
Despite the chaos, no homes or lives were lost in Boyle, and by Thursday morning, residents began returning home.
Meanwhile in Westlock County, two wildfires broke out near the Summer Village of Larkspur and Hidden Valley Golf Course, prompting a state of local emergency. Firefighters from across Alberta mobilized, supported by local residents, Hutterite colonies, and even farmers bringing water and equipment.
Three homes near Larkspur were evacuated, and while several outbuildings at the golf course were lost, no one was hurt.
“Everybody played a small role in the much bigger effort,” said CAO Tony Kulbisky. Crews continued battling underground hotspots, with peat moss posing a lingering threat. By week's end, the situation had stabilized, but a fire ban and state of emergency remained in effect.
What stood out in both communities was the outpouring of support. Local organizations offered shelter and supplies. Businesses, like Edmonton’s Famoso Pizzeria, provided meals and accommodations for evacuees. Volunteers stitched the region together when fear and fire threatened to tear it apart.
