UPDATE: May 10, 2023

GWF017 is classified as out of control (OC) and estimated to be 3,765 ha in size. This wildfire is located on both sides of Highway 43.

GWF023 is classified as out of control (OC) is estimated to be 1,189 ha. Municipal structural protection along with Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation is assisting with this wildfire. The focus for firefighters is to control wildfire spread as heavy equipment build containment lines all along the perimeter of the fires. Crews with helicopters continue to bucket water on this fire. 

Dozer guard construction is progressing with 60% containment being established.  These fires have had minimal fire activity for the past 24 hours. More resources are being assigned with sustained action crews and an out of province incident management team arriving this week. 

mapPhoto: Alberta Wildfire

 

UPDATE: May 8, 2023

The Sturgeon Lake fire, located within and around the immediate area of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation continues to be an aggressive fire that remains at 3,765 ha in size.

With the assistance of the lake itself, fire progression was slowed as it pushed in a northerly fashion and resulted in impacts on the Sandy Bay area communities. Where the lake was less prevalent, the fire spread southwesterly and had significant impacts on other areas of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation community and provincial Highway 43, which runs through the area.

Forestry, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Greenview Fire-Rescue-Service and the Valleyview Fire Department continue to fight this fire with a dozer guard, aerial support with water and fire retardant and have requested air tanker support.

The western side of the lake has not been impacted at this time, and with cooperative weather, firefighters are hoping for further progress in getting it under control.

An Evacuation order remains in place for residents of this area.

UPDATE: May 6, 2023

The evacuation order for the Sturgeon Lake wildfire has expanded.  

Everyone in the area of Township 730 to 710, and Range Road 245 to Highway 49 must evacuate immediately.

There is a mandatory evacuation order for Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Sandy Bay.  Everyone from Range Road 230 to Range Road 251, between Township Road 715 and Township Road 700, everyone around Sturgeon Lake, including everyone in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

There is a wildfire on the southeast side of Sturgeon Lake, burning north and west.

Everyone must immediately evacuate to Memorial Hall, 4808 50th Street, Valleyview Alberta. If you need assistance evacuating, call 780-524-3345.

Bring all important documents, medications, food, water, pets, and important supplies to be away from your home for up to three days.

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UPDATE May 5, 2023:  There is a mandatory evacuation order for Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Sandy Bay.  Everyone north of Highway 43 and east Youngs Point Road, including Cozy Cove and Boyd's Lakeshore Properties must evacuate immediately.

Evacuate to Valleyview. Highway 43 is unavailable through Sturgeon Lake. Take other routes. Register at the Memorial Hall, at 4808 50 Street in Valleyview. Bring pets, important documents and medication and enough food, water and supplies to be away from your home for 3 days. If you need help evacuating call 780-524-3345.

There is a wildfire on the southeast side of Sturgeon Lake, burning north and west.

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UPDATE: May 5, 2023

The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Facebook page reports that all residents have received a mandatory evacuation order due to an out-of-control wildfire.  

The emergency muster point is at the Valleyview Memorial Hall for registration and accommodations information.

All Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation children attending Valleyview schools will be bussed to the Valleyview & District Agricultural Society (Agriplex) located at 4202 40th Avenue and are to be picked up at this designated location.

ROAD REPORT - UPDATED May 6, 2023

511.alberta.ca reports that highway 43 is closed in both directions between Bezanson and Valleyview due to the Sturgeon Lake wildfire.  Detours are in effect via Rycroft and Donnelly on highway 2 and highway 49.