Evacuation orders issued in Greenview, Saddle Hills due to wildfires

One of the Red Earth Creek complex fires can be seen on June 3, 2025. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire)

A mandatory evacuation order was issued in the Municipal District of Greenview on Tuesday.

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The alert was issued at 11:03 a.m. due to a 325-hectare wildfire burning out of control north of the Bison Flats recreation area.

The evacuation order was in effect for everyone between the Smoky River and Forestry Trunk Road, including areas from Canfor Road to the Simonette Forestry Tower.

Residents were told to gather pets, medication, and enough food and water for at least three days.

Evacuation order expanded in Saddle Hills

Saddle Hills County expanded an evacuation order on Tuesday due to a 300-hectare wildfire burning out of control west of Blueberry Mountain.

Monday’s emergency alert was expanded at 11:40 a.m.to include everyone between Township Road 794 and Highway 49, between Range Roads 94 and 85.

An evacuation order was also in place for everyone between Range Road 95 and Highway 725, and Township Roads 794 and 802, including Moonshine Lake Provincial Park.

An evacuation centre had been set up at the Blueberry Mountain Hall on Highway 680 and Range Road 82.

Residents were told to prepare to be gone for up to a week.

The most up-to-date information on emergency alerts can be found on the Alberta government’s website.

Grande Prairie, Slave Lake areas see increased fire activity

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, there were 60 active wildfires in Alberta, with 25 of them classified as out of control. Alberta firefighters were also helping with five wildfires along the B.C. border.

Among them was the 21,679-hectare Kiskatinaw River Wildfire, which crossed the border from B.C. near Highway 671 west of Goodfare.

Melissa Story, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire, said windy conditions were spurring fire activity but crews were expecting some respite soon.

“We are anticipating seeing a downtrend in the weather come this weekend, so firefighters will also be making good use of that time. We are just trying to get through the next couple of days of windy conditions here in the province,” Story said.

Story said Alberta Wildfire crews were also focusing on the Red Earth Creek complex fires, which prompted the evacuation of Chipewyan Lake and three First Nations in late May.

Multiple fires in the complex were also seeing heightened activity and were expected to grow due to windy conditions in the area.

“It’s one of our top priorities right now, and we’ve got a lot of resources that are responding to it,” Story said. “It is affecting a number of communities up in that area, so we are ensuring that they are continuing to stay safe, and doing everything we can to build those containment lines and bring that wildfire to a being held status.”

A fire ban remains in effect for the entire forest protection area of Alberta and includes all outdoor wood fires. Information on municipal fire bans can be found on the Alberta Fire Bans website.