Update 12: Fort McMurray Wildfire (May 11 at 6:00 p.m.)

Today, Premier Notley delivered the following update on the wildfires around Fort McMurray:

“This emergency funding underscores the commitment every Albertan owes to each other. It’s about Albertans helping Albertans.”

Premier Notley

Current situation

Fire conditions remain extreme in the province.
A total of 19 wildfires are burning: two out of control, one being held, 10 under control and six turned over to the responsible parties. There was one new start today.
Currently, there are 1,715 firefighters, 101 helicopters, 154 pieces of heavy equipment and 26 air tankers battling the fires.
Two fires in the Fort McMurray area have joined. The Fort McMurray wildfire is now approximately 229,000 hectares.
There are 700 firefighters, 32 helicopters, 13 air tankers available and 83 pieces of heavy equipment units working on the Fort McMurray fire.
The wildfire is approximately 25 to 30 kilometres from the Saskatchewan boundary.

$1,250 per adult and $500 per dependant in emergency financial assistance will be provided to people who have been displaced.
This assistance is being provided in the form of debit cards.
Starting at 2 p.m. today, the Government of Alberta began issuing debit cards to people who have been evacuated from Fort McMurray and other northern Alberta communities due to wildfire.
Distribution centres will be open between May 11 and 20 as follows:
- Edmonton Butterdome, 114 Street and 87 Avenue
- Calgary McMahon Stadium, Red & White Club, 1833 Crowchild Trail NW (northside of the building)
- Calgary BMO Centre, Hall A, Calgary Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SW
- Lac La Biche Penalty Box, upstairs in the Bold Centre, 8702-91 Avenue (open May 11-13)
For additional information, please contact 310-4455 toll-free in Alberta or 1-844-406-3276 toll-free outside Alberta.
In order to allow for immediate distribution to people who are most urgently in need of this assistance, we’re asking evacuees who aren’t in dire need of these funds to not claim them immediately. There are enough debit cards for every eligible evacuee.

Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nation remain under a mandatory evacuation order.
There are currently 13 reception centres operating within the province. Additional details are available on the Alberta government emergency updates website: www.alberta.ca/emergency.
Preliminary re-entry planning is underway; a schedule for re-entry is expected within two weeks.
Albertans can stay up-to-date on wildfire-related information by calling 310-4455 in Alberta; 1-844-406-3276, and on the Alberta Emergency Alert and Alberta Wildfire apps.

Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.
AHS has health care teams at several evacuation/reception centres and are available by calling Health Link toll-free at 811 or the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642.
Telephone town halls have been scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 11 and Thursday May 12.
Evacuees who have registered their cellphone numbers and emergency contact numbers with the Red Cross will be phoned before 7:00 p.m. on the evening of a call.
A transitional shelter plan is being developed for those displaced by the wildfires. Anyone at a reception centre, community centre or hotel is asked to stay where they are for now. We are working to move people to more comfortable, transitional accommodations as quickly as possible.
All evacuees should register with the Red Cross – no matter where they are currently. This will help ensure they have access to the services they may need, including access to emergency financial assistance. Register: online at RedCross.ca; or via phone at 1-888-350-6070.

The pet rescue initiative is ongoing. Approximately 750 animals were checked through the intake and triage areas by volunteers from the Edmonton Humane Society and the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force. The Alberta SPCA will contact the owners as soon as possible to arrange reunion with their pets.

A boil water advisory remains in effect for the area of Fort McMurray including Anzac, Conklin, Gregoire Lake Provincial Park, Janvier and nearby work camps that pull water from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Water Treatment Plant.

AHS has issued an air quality advisory for the Fort McMurray area, as well as a precautionary advisory for communities in the North Zone due to wildfires; residents are advised to take appropriate precautions. Real time air quality data and information is available at www.environment.alberta.ca/apps/aqhi/aqhi.aspx.

Highway 63 is open to through traffic only to allow employees and supplies of oil sands operations to return and resume production.
This is not a call for workers or residents to return to the Fort McMurray area. There is no public access into Fort McMurray. Travel into Fort McMurray is still restricted to emergency response and essential services only.
The RCMP traffic control point for northbound traffic has been moved away from the Highway 63/881 junction to the oversized load rest area eight kilometres south of Fort McMurray.
Any vehicles travelling into Fort McMurray are required to register for a permit at this traffic control point.
All drivers are reminded to be extra safe, obey all signs, roadblocks and RCMP directions, and make sure you have sufficient water, food and fuel.

Highway 881 remains closed in both directions between the Highway 63 junction and just north of Janvier due to wildfire.

RCMP have begun removing vehicles abandoned on the highway.
Individuals forced to abandon their vehicles on Highway 63 during the evacuation should call Highway 63 Towing & Recovery at 1-877-671-2717 to confirm if your vehicle is at the yard.
To claim your vehicle you will need to provide your driver’s licence and show that the vehicle registration matches the information on your driver’s licence.
Highway 63 Towing & Recovery is located in Wandering River, approximately 230 km north of Edmonton.
Costs for towing and storage of abandoned vehicles will be covered by the Province of Alberta.

The Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area campground near Lac La Biche is Alberta Parks’ primary location for evacuees who are equipped to camp. No charge.
Alberta Parks will also accept evacuees equipped to camp in other provincial campgrounds, also free of charge.
Evacuees can contact the Alberta Parks’ Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757 for information on campground locations/options.
Campers are asked to identify themselves as Fort McMurray evacuees to receive free camping.
Due to the wildfire impact, the following northeast region provincial parks campsites are closed: Gregoire Lake, Hangingstone and Maqua Lake.
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are offering free entry and camping to people evacuated from Fort McMurray due to wildfires. More information on Saskatchewan parks can be found online at www.saskparks.net/.