This afternoon, another update was given on the wildfires in Alberta. A bit of rain in south and central Alberta has improved conditions in some areas. However, 31 out of control fires are currently in the province and in the last 24 hours 16 new wildfire starts have been reported. 

“As of a few minutes ago there are 108 active wildfires burning throughout the province. More than 29,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes to safe locations. While other communities are on evacuation alert and residents in those communities should be prepared to evacuate on short notice,” Colin Blair, Spokesperson for the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.

Here’s a look at the 10 communities at greatest risk: 

Edson Mineral Lake Provincial Recreation Area

  • 8,000 people evacuated
  • Reception Centres open in Hinton at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre and Jasper Fitness and Aquatic Centre
  • Critical power and electricity is being threatened 

Evansburg, Entwistle, Wildwood, and Hansonville 

  • 1,270 people evacuated
  • Evacuees should register at Wabamun Jubilee Hall
  • 21 structures damaged in Hansonville, Lobstick, and Wildwood areas

Fox Lake 

  • 1,476 Fox Lake evacuated
  • 3,600 Little Red River Cree Nation residents evacuated
  • Reception centres in High Level and Fort Vermillion arenas 
  • 20 homes, 1 store, and a RCMP station have been destroyed
  • All evacuees have been accounted for

Rainbow Lake Community

  • No information on how many evacuated 
  • Evacuees should register at the High Level Arena 

Drayton Valley and Brazeau County

  • 7,200 evacuated 
  • 1,000 evacuees are sheltering at the Edmonton Expo Centre

O’Chiese Reserve 

  • 80 evacuated
  • Reception centre open at the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre
  • 1 home has been destroyed

Grande Prairie

  • 470 evacuated 
  • Evacuees should report to the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie

Clear Hills 

  • Residents asked to stay on alert and be prepared for evacuation

Grizzly Complex 

  • 385 residents of the East Prairie Metis Settlement, Enilda, and Communities of Big Lakes have been evacuated
  • Fire moving towards High Prairie
  • Major impacts to homes but smoke prevents an accurate assessment

High Prairie 

  • Residents told to be prepared to evacuate within one hour or less
  • If an evacuation order is issued, a reception centre will be open in Slave Lake

“The total area of the province burned this year has now passed 375,000 hectares. Today we have seen some light scattered showers in the southern part of the province as far north as Fox Creek and the good news is that it did have an impact on fire behavior today in that area,” Christie Tucker, Information Unit Manager Alberta Wildfire. 

Tucker is anticipating higher humidity in the coming days which could see conditions improve for firefighters in south and central Alberta but northern Alberta does not see those conditions forecasted. Resources and fire crews from throughout Canada are arriving daily as first priority goes towards wildfires threatening communities and human life.