Albert Wildfire Crews build fire guard near Conklin
Wildfire damages dozens of structures in Chipewyan Lakes, threatens Conklin as extreme fire danger persists
More than two dozen buildings, including the water treatment plant and seniors centre, have been damaged by wildfires in the community of Chipewyan Lakes, located about 100 kilometres west of Fort McMurray.
The damage occurred after one of several blazes in the Red Earth fire complex breached the hamlet’s perimeter shortly after residents completed a full evacuation on Sunday. Chief Andy Alook of the Bigstone Cree Nation confirmed the extent of the destruction, saying over two dozen structures were affected in the hours following the evacuation.
Authorities and local leaders are assessing the impact to critical infrastructure as wildfire activity remains high across the region.
Meanwhile, further south in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Caribou Lake wildfire continues to threaten the community of Conklin. The fire has grown to more than 610 square kilometres, though Alberta Wildfire says recent cooler temperatures and light rainfall have helped slow its progress.
Fire crews are using the improved conditions to strengthen containment lines in hopes of preventing further spread of one of the province’s largest active fires.
Forecasters with Alberta Wildfire have issued extreme fire danger warnings for the Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche Forest Protection Areas. In response, both the province and the municipality have placed fire bans across the region, hoping to prevent any new fires from taking hold.
There are currently 52 fires burning across Alberta with 28 or them considered out of control.
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