Wildfire near Fort McMurray still out of control, cooler weather helping firefighters

Province doubling down on massive wildfire The province is doubling down on the wildfire that’s become known as ‘The Beast’.

While officials are still calling the massive wildfire burning near Fort McMurray out of control, cooler weather in the area is helping crews get a better handle on the fire.

On Friday afternoon, the last estimated size of the fire was at 503,674 hectares.

Meanwhile, ATCO employees have been working to restore utilities in Fort McMurray – with gas service restored to 75 percent of the city, electricity has been restored to 90 percent of the city.

While officials said the fire conditions in northeastern Alberta remain extreme – cooler temperatures Friday and in the coming days, along with higher humidity, were expected to help crews get a better handle on the firefight.

Other parts of the province were seeing precipitation at the end of the week, and a number of jurisdictions were lifting fire bans because of it – the provincial government also amended their province-wide fire ban to only cover certain parts of Alberta.

On Friday, the province said Alberta’s Forest Protection Area in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and parts of the Lac La Biche Forest Area, in addition to all counties, municipal districts and special areas – as well as provincial parks and recreation areas were all under the province-wide fire ban.

Also on Friday, the province said locations for Fort McMurray evacuees to pick up pre-loaded debit cards with emergency funds closed – but starting after the long weekend on Tuesday, May 24, cards would be available for pickup at Alberta Works locations (between 8: 15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified).

Officials said on Saturday, May 21, the Edmonton Butterdome location (114 Street and 87 Avenue) would be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only.

Late Friday night, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced a mandatory evacuation order was lifted for the following oilsands areas:

Northbound traffic on Highway 63 remains restricted to essential services only. Officials urged people working in those areas to contact their employer to make alternative travel arrangements.