Alberta Wildfires
Emergency Information: Albertans can call toll-free 310-4455 to access current information about the wildfire situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, phone numbers, and what websites to visit for more information. Those looking for friends or family displaced by the Slave Lake fires can try the Emergency Information Reunification Line: (780) 523-3388. To report a Wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473) toll free, from anywhere in Alberta. Banner photo credit: Caezer Ng, The Lakeside Leader.
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Homes burning down as thousands flee Alberta town following wildfire
Thousands of people were fleeing their homes Sunday evening as strong winds fanned an out-of-control wildfire into a northern Alberta town where hundreds of buildings were destroyed and many roads to safety were blocked.
The Town of Slave Lake advised the community of about 7,000 people to protect themselves from the wildfire by heading for parking lots, beaches or large, green open spaces.
A general evacuation was underway.
"The town is on fire. Apparently there have been a lot of homes that have burned down," said RCMP spokeswoman Doris Stapleton.
Read the full story here: www.globaltvedmonton.com -
SLAVE LAKE FIRES @redcrossab help people in #SlaveLake. Donate @ 1-800-418-1111 or www.redcross.ca #YEG - LOCATE FAMILY 780-523-3388by RobandAudie via twitter 5/16/2011 12:05:48 PM -
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Volunteers for Slave Lake needed. Please call 780-675-2967 #yeg #slavelake #wildfire #albertaby RobandAudie via twitter 5/16/2011 12:32:10 PM
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#slavelake is a total disaster. Hoping the #cdnpoli + #alberta govt are mobilizing. This is a serious crisis. #slavelakefireby AureliaCotta via twitter 5/16/2011 12:40:05 PM -
Screen capture of Town of #SlaveLake website. Residents advised take refuge at Walmart, Canadian Tire, the mall! twitpic.com
by jody_macpherson via twitter 5/16/2011 12:41:51 PM -
Mayor of #slavelake says so far no injuries or deaths reported. Roughly 9000 ppl evacuated.by Laurel Clark via twitter 5/16/2011 12:43:59 PM -
#Slavelake Mayor: "The scale of this is so massive." What did fire destroy? She says it's easier to say what's left.by Laurel Clark via twitter 5/16/2011 12:44:07 PM
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The Alberta arm of the Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations for those wanting to help in Slave Lake. We will have more information for volunteers and those looking to help out throughout the day.
Link: www.redcross.ca -
More firefighting personnel are being promised to help battle a blaze that's devoured a large chunk of a northern Alberta town
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight says he's expecting about 200 personnel from outside the province to aid crews who are trying to stop the flames from spreading further in Slave Lake.
Knight says water-bombing aircraft are also expected.
People in the community of seven-thousand were ordered from their homes last night as a strong wind whipped up an inferno that's already destroyed scores of buildings.
Evacuees are being put up in the communities of Westlock and Athabasca, as well as in Edmonton.
There are no reports of injuries.
- The Canadian Press -
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If any readers know of a reputable organization fundraising for Slave Lake, please let us know.by LaureneViverett via twitter 5/16/2011 1:51:09 PM -
Latest from province on Slave Lake efforts: alberta.ca -
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Mayor of Athabasca says some #slavelake evacuees at multiplex being transported to #yegby Laurel Clark via twitter 5/16/2011 2:17:46 PM
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Our thoughts go out to the Town of Slave Lake and its residents. Donations can be made to the Alberta Red Cross at 1.800.418.1111 #slavelakeby aamdc via twitter 5/16/2011 2:19:18 PM -
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Using FireSmart techniques in and around your home can significantly reduce the risk of damage from a wildfire. This summer, consider doing these simple and inexpensive tasks:
Keep your roof clear of debris
Ensure your roof is free of needles and leaves, and that there are no overhanging branches that can catch on fire. Wildfires can distribute hot embers several kilometres away from the actual flames. Keeping your roof clear of burnable debris can help reduce the risk.
Install a spark arrester on your chimney
Ensure your chimney is up to code and has a functioning spark arresting screen. Also consider where you store your fire wood, keeping it well away from any buildings.
Show your numbers
Display your address, municipal fire number or lot number so that it can be easily identified by emergency response personnel. If you live in a newer subdivision, consider talking with your neighbours and local fire department to place a sudbivision map at the entrance to your neighbourhood.
www.srd.alberta.ca -
More firefighters head for Slave Lake where parts of town left in ruins
SLAVE LAKE, Alta. - More firefighting help is on its way to Slave Lake, but it will arrive too late for some parts of the northern Alberta town already destroyed by a wind-whipped wildfire.
Police say nearly one third of the town has either been destroyed or damaged after strong winds Sunday suddenly turned the flames on the town of 7,000.
All residents were ordered to leave Sunday afternoon, but the evacuation process proved difficult as smoke and flames blocked some of the highways.
No deaths or injuries were reported.
- From the Canadian Press -
Town of Stony Plain sending some firefighters up to Slave Lake to provide assistance with battling raging wildfiresby TownStonyPlain via twitter edited by Heather Loney 5/16/2011 2:34:34 PM -
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Note from Telus re: Cell phone coverage in the Slave Lake area:
Our network is still running, service is not intermittent. However we are seeing increased congestion in some areas. The wireless network is designed to complement the land line. Due to the increased congestion, calls may not connect right away. Be patient and try again.
We can't speak for the condition or integrity of other wireless carriers who may be operating in the area and do not know the condition of their networks.
We would like offer our thanks and gratitude to the local fire department who were able to douse the flames at our Central Office in Slave Lake. The CO houses a lot of sensitive equipment. They saved the building.
Let me know if you need any further information.
Thanks. -
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For those looking for a way to help: www.facebook.com
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Man flees Slave Lake flames with wife, says fire was 'black as black can be'
SLAVE LAKE, Alta. - A man who had to flee the flames of a wildfire in his northern Alberta hometown says the sky was as black as black can be.
Scott Sieben and his wife Leonna live in Slave Lake where the fire caught everyone by surprise Sunday with how quickly it moved.
Sieben says the blaze was so intense it was like watching an oil fire with a cloud of smoke that spanned more than three kilometres at one point.
He says wind that gusted up to 100 kilometres pulled the fire along like an imaginary hand.
Police say nearly one-third of the town of 7,000 has been destroyed or damaged, although there are no reports of deaths or injuries.
Residents were ordered to leave Sunday afternoon and many have settled at evacuation centres in other northern Alberta communities, including Edmonton.
- From The Canadian Press -
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Latest from the province: Slave Lake - Update on Public Safety Actions
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta continues to work closely with local municipal officials and agencies to ensure the safety of residents evacuated from the Slave Lake wildfire. Below is an update on recent activities.
Road closures
Travel in and around Slave Lake is restricted. Road/Highway closures in effect are: Hwy 2 between Hwys 33 and 44; Hwy 8 between Hwys 2 and 986 and; Hwy 15 between Hwys 88 and 679.
Evacuations
Approximately 90 per cent of the residents have been safely evacuated. Only essential or firefighter staff remain in the Town of Slave Lake.
Reception Centres for Residents
Westlock Community Hall, 10711-104 Ave. (space available)
Athabasca Multiplex, #2 University Dr. (space available)
NEW - Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515-118 Ave (replaces M.E. LaZerte High School location) (space available)
Firefighters
The 40 local firefighters from the Slave Lake Fire Department are being assisted by more than 120 firefighters from Alberta cities.
Contact Numbers
Albertans can call toll-free 310-4455 to access current information about the wildfire situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, phone numbers, and what websites to visit for more information.
As well, displaced residents are encouraged to call the Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau to register their information and check on loved ones. The number is: 1-800-565-4483. Please note this does not preclude registering at an evacuation centre.
Any family members who are looking for information on where medical patients were moved can call Alberta Health Services at 1-866-301-2668.
A number of Alberta agencies and departments are responding to a number of wildfires across the province including Sustainable Resource Development, Municipal Affairs (Alberta Emergency Management Agency), Transportation, and Alberta Health Services.
Information about wildfires in Alberta is available on Facebook at the site ‘Alberta Wildfire Info.’ Status reports are also available at the Sustainable Resource Development website at www.srd.alberta.ca -
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