Grass fires lead to partial evacuation of Paul First Nation

Partial evacuation of Paul First Nation

April 18, 2016. A wildfire on the Paul First Nation forced a partial evacuation of the community late Monday evening. All residents and visitors were advised to be ready to leave the area with little notice. An evacuation centre has been set up at the Ironhead Golf Course clubhouse in Wabamun and the Paul First Nation School is closed Tuesday. In surrounding Parkland County, Mayor Rod Shaigec declared a local state of emergency as residents were forced from the hamlet of Duffield in the late afternoon. Many had been evacuated Sunday because of a brush fire, then allowed to return home in the evening. Also on Monday, at 7 p.m., a wildland fire broke out along Highway 63 making the highway impassable for a few hours. Wildland fire fighter crews and air support battled the fire which jumped a service road along the highway, billowing smoke and reducing visibility. As of Monday, 11 new Alberta wildfires were reported in the prior 24 hours — three of which were later extinguished. About 181 hectares had burned across the province so far this wildfire season, compared to a five-year average of 125 at this time of year.

Grass fire forces evacuation of school, homes

April 18, 2016. About 250 students and staff members at Kisipatnahk School, in Maskwacis were forced to evacuate Monday morning around 11:40 a.m. because of a large grass fire. Residents from about 40 nearby homes were also forced out. “Initially, the way the path of the fire was heading, it looked like it was going to overtake the school and head into the townsite where all the residents are located,” said RCMP Const. Don Meredith. However, the fire skirted the school, causing no damage. One abandoned home was damaged. High winds and extremely dry conditions made the fire difficult to fight. It was declared under control by 2:30 p.m. Firefighters from Louis Bull, Ermineskin, Montana and Samson Cree First Nations, as well as fire crews from Wetaskiwin and Ponoka, responded. “The quick response of the fire department was key and instrumental in putting the fire out and making it a lot better than it could have been,” said Meredith.