The MD lies within the boundaries of the Lac La Biche and Slave Lake Forest Protection Areas.
The Lac La Biche Forest Protection Area refers to any MD land located south of the Athabasca River, and the Slave Lake Forest Protection Area refers to MD land to the river's north.
Get the latest wildfire intel from different federal and provincial agencies.
The evacuation order for all residents along Old Smith Highway from Township Road 715 (Smith Bridge) to Range Road 45 (Tollenaars Bridge) has been rescinded.
Effective 3:00pm on Monday, May 22, the mandatory evacuation notice is lifted for residents along Old Smith Highway from Township Road 715 (Smith Bridge) to Range Road 45 (Tollenaars Bridge).
Displaced residents may now return home, and this locality will instead be placed on a four-hour alert.
RETURNING RESIDENTS: For affected community members, there are no barriers to entry. However, please note that this route will be open to local RESIDENTS ONLY until further notice.
Residents are asked to use the road as a way to return home; not as a regular thoroughfare (e.g.: to and from work or errands). MD operations staff will be stationed at the barricades to provide returning residents with re-entry information.
If you have taken the time to FireSmart your property over the past week (removal of debris/ignition sources from under decks and away from buildings), kindly keep everything where it is for the time being. This will provide your property with an extra level of protection in the event of a flare-up over the next few days.
PUBLIC SAFETY: The rain has helped, but fires are still active, and there are numerous hazards in the area such as ground fires and falling trees. Residents are advised to stay out of the bush.
For the time being, please use the route as a way to return home; not as a regular thoroughfare.
Also, please do not touch any firefighting equipment that remains in the area. Municipal fire crews are currently not in the area; however, there forestry crews are still activity working. As of now, no structures have been lost.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
Please continue to monitor the MD’s website and social media channels for evolving details and instructions.
Tuesday, May 30 at 1:00pm
SWF085, SWF086 and SWF087 are located approximately five kilometres northwest of Smith and 30 kilometres east of the Town of Slave Lake. All three wildfires are being held. Being held means with the current weather conditions and resources, these wildfires are not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.
The sizes of these wildfires are as follows:
Structure protection equipment has been removed from the Old Smith Highway, but structure protection is ready to be deployed if needed. Wildland firefighters with water trucks continue to work patrolling for and extinguishing ground fires in the area. Firefighters are working along the wildfire perimeter extinguishing ground fires with pump and hose around residents’ homes along the Old Smith Highway when needed. Heavy equipment has established guard all around the north end of the wildfire boundary.
Smoke may be visible from areas within the interior of the wildfire and along the perimeters. Firefighters and helicopters will be working on these areas. Heavy equipment has completed a fire guard from the southwest to the southeast and they continue to move to the north.
Visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website for further details.
For information on the Saulteaux Complex, please call Wildfire Information Officer Colby Lachance at 780-404-9186.
Click Here for important information for displaced residents returning to their homes following a wildfire.
Reeve Kerik, Deputy Reeve Spencer and Chief Administrative Officer Barry Kolenosky provide some context behind the evolving wildfire event. Take a few moments to watch the video.
Issued Friday, May 26 at 8:27 AM
AREA: Area: This warning is for all residents along the Old Smith Highway from Township Road 715 (Smith Bridge) to Range Road 45 (Tollenaars Bridge).
DESCRIPTION: Wildfire SWF 086 is still burning, and evacuation may become necessary if the weather changes.
INSTRUCTION: This is an eight hour evacuation warning. Everyone in the affected area must prepare for a possible evacuation. Gather pets, important documents and medication, enough food, water and supplies for at least 3 days.
Stay tuned to www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, and local media for updates.
Stand by: if the MD issues a one-hour evacuation notice, an evacuation order will be given to residents in the affected areas. Please be advised that the power can go out without notice if the fire behavior changes.
Stay informed: continue to monitor this page for evolving details and instructions. You can also monitor the MD Facebook page for updates via social media.
| Evacuee registration line 1 | 780-849-0608 |
| Evacuee registration line 2 | 780-805-6320 |
| Transportation assistance | 780-805-1142 |
| MD office after-hours line | 780-849-4888 |
| General social supports | 1-877-644-9992 |
| Financial assistance | 1-877-644-9992 |
| Mental health helpline | 1-877-302-2642 |
Evacuation order: Evacuate now, situation is dangerous.
Evacuation alert: Be prepared to evacuate if situation worsens.
Click Here to download a handy one-pager on preparing your 72-hour emergency kit.
Government agencies provide a spectrum of valuable public safety news and resources. Click the images to explore these resources further.
