Firefighters battling 52 out-of-control wildfires across province
1,600 firefighters dealing with 120 fires, government says
Another week of hot, dry weather means another weekend of busy work for those fighting wildfires in northern Alberta.
There are currently 120 wildfires burning in northern Alberta, according to wildfire information officer Geoffrey Driscoll. Of those, 52 are considered to be out of control.
Driscoll said around 1,600 firefighters are currently deployed in the province.
"Firefighters are now working incredibly hard trying to contain these fires," he said.
Of those fires currently burning, Driscoll said the greatest concern is over one near the Tallcree First Nation, near Fort Vermilion. Earlier this week, two hundred people were evacuated from the reserve when the fire drew closer.
"Firefighters were able to stop it from entering the community," Driscoll said, adding that the fire is still less than 5 km away from the first nation.
As of Saturday afternoon, most of northern Alberta remained under either "high" or "extreme" fire conditions.