Alberta wildfire: August re-entry dates for Little Red River Cree Nation and Chipewyan Lake residents

Residents of several communities affected by wildfires in northern Alberta are expected to be able to return home early next month.

In an update on the wildfires on Wednesday, the province said the Opportunity No. 17 Municipal District plans to allow residents of Chipewyan Lake to return home starting Thursday, while the Little Red River Cree Nation, which includes John D’or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River, announced that people in the community will be allowed to return home on Monday.

Until then, evacuation orders remain in effect for both areas.

Chipewyan Lake, located 375 kilometres north of Edmonton, was evacuated on July 18, while fire forced the evacuation of the Little Red River Cree Nation, 550 kilometres north of the capital, a week earlier.

The Semo Complex Fire, which prompted the evacuation of Little Red River, is still considered out of control and is burning two miles from Highway 58, eight miles from Garden River, nine miles from Fox Lake and 12 miles from John D’Or Prairie.

Updates on forest fires

• According to Alberta Wildfire, 114 wildfires are burning in the province’s protected forest area, which covers most of northern Alberta and areas in the foothills along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Twenty of these fires are out of control.
• A fire ban remains in effect around Jasper National Park, as well as in the southern and northern areas. alberta.ca/fire-bans
• The City of Edmonton is changing the hours of its rapid response terminal for evacuees from Jasper National Park. Starting Saturday, the terminal will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight.