Alberta wildfire volatility threatened with increased heat

As Alberta prepares for the weekend, firefighters and emergency officials look at how to tackle flames that may worsen with forecasted heat in the coming days.

Currently, there are 74 active wildfires in the province, with 20 out of control. Flames have burned up around 435,000 hectares of land this year, with around 435 happening at the same time.

Meanwhile, the wildfires continue to be volatile as forecasted hot and dry conditions are expected to worsen the situation.

“The wildfire danger is expected to grow in the coming days. We are expecting hot and dry conditions in most of the province, which will make the wildfire danger climb,” said Josee St-Onge with Alberta Wildfire.

“Our teams on the ground have been working hard to prepare for more challenging conditions. Firefighters have been building firebreaks around communities and making use of firefighters coming in from outside the province.”

The highest temperatures are expected from Sunday to Tuesday, with daytime highs in the high 20s to low 30s. Overnight and early morning lows are expected to be in the low teens.

According to Environment Canada, these daytime highs will be 10 to 15 degrees above seasonal temperatures.

Read More: Military to help with Alberta wildfire response as heat wave approaches

The province says there are around 16,500 evacuees, with them having registered at 15 reception centres.

Minister Mike Ellis stressed the importance of keeping safe and avoiding activities that “might start new fires or make our current situation worse.”

He also says it’s important to be prepared in case people need to evacuate.

“Ensure that you have all important medication and documents, as well as food and supplies to support yourself and your family. You should also make sure that your vehicle is fully fueled and ready to go,” he said.

“These fires can move very quickly. And being prepared for rapid changes can make a huge difference.”

Emergency funds may be reassessed

Ellis said the province has processed more than 3,900 applications for the evacuee emergency fund, announced to help those away from their homes earlier in the week.

Around $6.8 million, which amounts to around 5,400 people, have received emergency funds, and $540,000 has been distributed via gift cards, a roughly four times increase from Thursday.

When asked if the province would reconsider additional funding if people remain evacuated for more than seven days combined, he said the province would.

“We’re gonna have to reassess … as this continues,” Ellis said. “It’s just a rapidly evolving situation.”

“Honestly, if this is something that requires something to be assessed, then I think we have to take a look at this as a possible option.”

The province adds there are community supports at reception centres that provide housing, food, medication, and other resources, adding the payments have been helpful.

“We’re very fortunate to have a wonderful team that are getting those payments out the door to Albertans,” said Brad Geddes, the executive director of community social services with the province.

“Those are a good bridge because the insurance industry, through a number of homeowner policies, have additional living expenses and additional funds that can help you whether it’s a week, two weeks or longer, as demonstrated in the forming Murray fires and other disasters.”

Timing of reentry for evacuees, frustration in not helping

Colin Blair, with emergency management, pleaded with those that have evacuated, saying the status of the wildfires in the area is what local authorities are using to determine reentry.

He adds that evacuation orders will remain in place until they are deemed safe and “are in place to protect the people.”

“People should not return to their homes unless their local authorities have given them to go ahead,” Blair said.

“I’m asking Albertans to remain vigilant and observe all fire bands. It’s important that all Albertans stay connected with their local authorities.”

He recommends people download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. In addition, the Government of Alberta will be holding virtual town halls for evacuees every night at 7:30 p.m., and they can call 1-833-380-0691.

Watch: Alberta communities band together, protect homes from wildfires

Meanwhile, reports say volunteers and farmers that want to help with the fires are frustrated, but St-Onge says, “Firefighting is a complicated and dangerous line of work.”

“While we understand that people do want to take action and protect their properties, we’re not in a position where we can easily integrate volunteers into our ranks,” she said.

Jason Hill with Alberta Agriculture appealed to ranchers that want to help, saying he understands the stress as he is a rancher himself.

“We have to remember that there are people within the organizations that have the training. We have to be very cognizant of lives,” he explained.

“We as a government will continue to work hand in hand with our [agricultural] producers to do what they need to get this force in place that they need to continue their operations at this time.”

People who want to support with donations or by volunteering can email EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

Lightning in the sky, soldiers on the horizon

Alberta Wildfire says there has been lightning in the past few days, which can lead to new wildfires.

“Lightning cause fires can smoulder for days and ignites when the conditions are hot, dry, and windy. Responding to these new wildfires will be a priority,” St-Onge said.

Meanwhile, 200 Canadian military personnel have been in place to assist firefighters and the province with welfare suppression, mop-up operations, and “basic firefighting duties.”

Another 100 will arrive on the weekend and will be deployed to Fox Creek.

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She also says 1,000 wildland firefighters, heavy equipment, and helicopter operators are responding to wildfires throughout the province.

“More than 300 wildland firefighters have come from Parks Canada, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Yukon, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the United States,” she said.

“We are expecting another 200 firefighters to arrive from the United States tomorrow. Military assistance has also been deployed to the Grand Prairie and Drayton Valley areas.”

More information about wildfires in the province can be found online.

-With files from Lauryn Heintz