Parkland mayor declares local state of emergency because of wildfires

With several fires burning in the area, the mayor of Parkland County has declared a local state of emergency. 

"All of Parkland County is in a state of local emergency due to wildfires," said Sarah Mate, public information officer for the county. "We've got fires burning right now east and north of the hamlet of Duffield and southeast of Tomahawk."

"We're asking residents that live in close proximity to evacuate immediately." 

Mayor of Parkland County, Rod Shaigec, said that the state of emergency gives the county power to enforce "mandatory evacuations" in areas endangered by fires.  

"Sometimes when people see their properties threatened they may not want to leave," said Shaigec. "Our primary concern is the safety of the individuals themselves and to leave it to the firefighters to protect their personal properties." 

Shaigec said the fact there are multiple fires in the area is exasperating the situation. 

"There is the fire in Parkland County but there is also the fire on Paul First Nation," said Shaigec. "So resources is an issue, we have reached out to other municipalities who aren't fighting their own fires."   

• Wildfire causes partial evacuation of Alberta community of Duffield

​A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for the hamlet of Duffield and the Duffield Downs subdivision. Portions of the Paul First Nation have also been evacuated.

​The county also issued a "prepare-to-evacuate" alert for the residents of Clear Lake, a small community 85 kilometres north of Duffield  Residents there are asked to be ready to move with 10 minutes notice.  

'At this point I am worried'

About 50 homes in two subdivisions were evacuated Sunday as a precaution, though residents were allowed to return at 9 p.m.

Daryn Ottenbreit was one of those people evacuated on Sunday.

He said he had just unpacked Monday when the entire hamlet was evacuated. Ottenbreit said the latest evacuation feels more serious, and he has no idea when he and his family will be able to return home.

"By the looks of the fire and the wind, it's not going to be a quick turn around today, unfortunately," said Ottenbreit. "At this point, I am worried.

"There is a much stronger possibility that our home is in danger." 

Ottenbreit said by the time he was evacuated the fire had crossed the railroad track and was working its way around the hamlet.

Ottenbreit and his family have been been evacuated to Manly Hall, along with a few other people. He said most people have either gone to relatives' homes or are congregating at Kim's No 1 Station, a Shell gas station near Duffield, and are watching the situation from there.

An emergency alert has been issued regarding poor air quality and visibility in the area, due to heavy smoke from the brush fire.

An immediate fire ban is now in effect in Parkland County and all fire permits are suspended.