UPDATE:
-As of 9 o’clock this morning, wildfire officials say it’s just over 5km from the landfill and less than 5 from the intersection at Highway 63 and 881.
There was some very light rain overnight, and it’s supposed to be cooler today, which they say should help prevent it from getting closer to the city.
A lot of people from Fort McMurray are getting a bad sense of deja-vu, as some of the city’s neighbourhoods, along with communities south of Fort Mac were told to evacuate yesterday because of an out-of-control wildfire.
Suzy Gerendi says she’s been packed and ready to go since they were put on standby and she decided to head for Edmonton with her three dogs.
The fire is about 7km from the city’s landfill, and there’s a lot of heavy smoke and ash in the air.
Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz says he and many of his crew members fought the 2016 wildfire, and he says that means they have an advantage, because they know what will work and what won’t .
He says there is a difference though, in that while the 2016 fire was fueled by spruce trees, this one is getting its energy from dry ground cover.
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ACCOMODATIONS FOR EVACUEES AND THEIR ANIMALS:
-It didn’t take long for hotels in Lac La Biche and the surrounding area to fill with evacuees, and so as of last night, people were told to head to the Cold Lake Agriplex.
-Officials from Vermillion say they’ve got room at their Ag Grounds for evacuees, with room to board horses.
-There’s also room just outside Elk Point for horses, cattle and trailers.
-Ol MacDonald’s Resort has free parking for RV’s, while the Thorsby Ag Society is offering up their pens for anyone who needs them for their animals. Call 780-789-3829.
-The Vegreville Ag Society also has stalls and rings for horses if you need them, along with areas for RV and campers. Call Russell 780-632-5509.
-The city of Edmonton is taking evacuees at the Clareview Rec Centre on 139th Avenue and 38th Street, where people can get food, clothing, healthcare and help for their pets.
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-In the meantime, the province says it will have funding for those who are going to be out of their homes for at least seven days.
Just over 12-hundred dollars for adults, and 6-hundred for each child.
But you need to register at www.emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.
