About three hours after a grass fire east of Edmonton spurred police to shut down a section of the city’s ring road, the RCMP said Anthony Henday Drive had been fully reopened.
In a news release issued at 3:14 p.m., Strathcona County RCMP said the road had been reopened after the fire was brought under control.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” police said. “Alberta RCMP would like to thank the public for their co-operation.”
In a news release issued earlier in the afternoon, RCMP had said part of the ring road “and most connecting roads and highways” would be closed in all directions between Baseline Road and Wye Road.”
Shortly after 2 p.m., the RCMP provided an update and said Anthony Henday Drive was being closed from Wye Road to Highway 16, “with part of Highway 16 in the area expected to close as well” because “The fire is spreading rapidly, aided by current wind conditions.”
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Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village fire
On Friday night, another grass fire led to the closure of a section of highway east of Edmonton after the blaze spread to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.
The fire east of Elk Island National Park was later contained and Highway 16 was reopened. That fire prompted evacuation orders for some homes in the area, which were later lifted.
On Saturday afternoon, Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir issued a joint statement about the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village fire with Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, the MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.
“While we are incredibly grateful to the first responders whose swift response saved the historical buildings on site, we are saddened to confirm that the visitor centre buildings were lost,” the statement read. “These buildings included exhibit spaces and housed many irreplaceable artifacts that told the stories of generations of Ukrainian Albertans.
“This is a profound loss – not only for the Ukrainian community, but for all Albertans who value and honour our province’s diverse cultural heritage.
“To the community that holds this place close to heart, please know that we share in your grief, and we recognize the cultural importance of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village to the Ukrainian Albertan community and all Albertans. We will provide more information as it becomes available in the coming weeks. Alberta’s government is committed to reopening the site when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
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