Backcountry around Brazeau Dam being evacuated again due to several raging forest fires

Nearly a week after several wildfires broke out in the Alberta foothills, new emergency alerts were issued for the region full of oil and gas operations that is also popular with backcountry enthusiasts.

The alert was cancelled an hour later.

There are several forest fires to the southwest and northwest of the Brazeau Dam, and the province has called the collection of blazes the Pembina Wildfire Complex.

The evacuation area is bounded by Elk River Road on the north, the Brazeau Reservoir on the east, just past Brazeau River on the south, and Range Road 145 on the west.

The evacuation route is north on Wolf Lake Road, west on Elk River Road or east on Elk River Road to Highway 620.

The wildfires primarily affect the oil and gas industry — there are many gas wells in that part of the province — but anyone within the area must leave.

Alberta Wildfire said one of the fires is 25 kilometres west of Lodgepole and 20 kilometres northwest of the Brazeau Dam, and was discovered last Thursday.

The fire is classified as out of control and estimated to be 82,666 hectares in size, as of May 9.

On the day it started, it created a large smoke column that was visible in the surrounding area, the province said.

There are 70 firefighters and support staff responding to this fire from British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

There are 20 pieces of heavy equipment three helicopters and four additional helicopters are assigned to the complex, the province said.

Personnel are continuing to work on the northern flank to build and reinforce containment lines. Minimal growth was observed Tuesday. Unstable conditions will be present throughout the region through Wednesday with frequent showers and scattered thundershowers, mainly during the daytime.

There are several wildfires burning in that area, including another out-of-control 67,042-hectare wildfire just to the southwest of the Brazeau Reservoir.

Alberta Wildfire said it is located near the O’Chiese Reserve and a recent increase in size is attributed to more accurate mapping.

There are 39 firefighters and support staff working on that wildfire, along with helicopters and heavy equipment.

There are two helicopters assigned to the fire and four additional helicopters assigned to the complex. In addition, there are 20 pieces of heavy equipment.

Crews are focused on creating a fire guard at the south end of the fire near the O’Chiese Reserve.

EVACUATION INFORMATION

There are mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation alerts in place for dozens of communities across Alberta.

For the latest information, status and updates on evacuations, visit the Alberta Emergency Alerts website.