Wildfires Continue to Grow Across Alberta as Conklin Remains on Alert
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Wildfires are increasing in both number and size across Alberta, with 50 fires currently burning in the province. Of those, 25 are considered out of control.
In the Fort McMurray Forest Area, three large wildfires are burning north of Fort Chipewyan. Together, they cover nearly 23,000 hectares. While these fires are not currently threatening any communities, they remain active and uncontrolled.
In the Lac La Biche Forest Area, a major wildfire threatening the hamlet of Conklin has grown to more than 61,000 hectares, or 610 square kilometres which is nearly the same size as the metro-Edmonton area. The community, located approximately 150 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, remains under an evacuation alert. Residents are being asked to stay prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsen.
Recent rain in the Fort McMurray region has lowered the local fire danger to moderate. However, fire danger remains high to very high in areas south of the city. The Conklin area received little to no rainfall, allowing the nearby wildfire to continue spreading.
Meanwhile, oil producer MEG Energy has evacuated all nonessential workers from its Christina Lake production facility in northern Alberta due to the wildfires burning in the area, while Cenovus Energy said they are scalingback nonessential workers at its Foster Creek facility.
Smoke from wildfires across western Canada is affecting air quality across the continent, with advisories issued in places as far away as Detroit and Chicago.
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