Northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan evacuated due to wildfire

FORT CHIPEWYAN, Alta- A hamlet in northern Alberta has been placed under an evacuation order as a wildfire burns nearby. Residents of Fort Chipewyan, a community of about 800 people, had been told earlier in the day to be ready to leave with 15 minutes’ notice. Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued a joint evacuation order for the community. Officials say the out-of-control wildfire is about eight kilometres away from Fort Chipewyan’s airport and is about 30 square kilometres in size. The evacuation is being handled in stages, starting with residents in Allison Bay, the community closest to the wildfire boundary. Air transportation to Fort McMurray, about 300 kilometres to the south, is being arranged, as…

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription – Corporate, and Print Subscription Only members only.
Log In Register

Add Your Voice

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page.