Global Courant 2023-05-16 18:05:00
Smoke from wildfires lowers Edmonton’s air quality rating on Tuesday.
The city’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) rating rose from three, or low risk, to eight, or high risk, at 8 a.m.
A special air quality statement warned the public that the smoke from wildfires could be harmful to everyone’s health and that people should try to reduce their exposure.
Eighty-seven wildfires continued to burn in northern and central Alberta early Tuesday morning. Just over a quarter of the fires were classified as out of control by Alberta Wildfire.
On Monday, Alberta Wildfire officials said the winds could potentially lead to more unpredictable behavior.
“We’re not out of the woods yet. I don’t believe the worst is over. We need to be prepared and make sure our resources are placed as best we can where that fire hazard will be most extreme,” Alberta Wildfire Information- unit manager Christie Tucker said.
During the night, one evacuation order and warning was issued:
At 05:30 Peavine Métis Settlement was evacuated. Evacuees were told to take important documents, medicines, and supplies and go to the Kapawe’no Center (780-523-8214) in Grouard or to the Smoky River FCSS in Falher. More details about the evacuation are available here. The fire that threatens the settlement is near 64,000 hectares in size. On the other side of the Peace River, residents in the Dunvegan West Wildland Provincial Park area were told to prepare for evacuation. A fire of 29,000 hectares moves south along the west bank of the river. More details about the evacuation alarm are available here.
Alberta Wildfire and Alberta Emergency Management Agency officials have provided daily updates. Watch the 3 p.m. press conference live on CTVNewsEdmonton.ca.
Alberta Wildfires: Final Warnings and
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