Chateh lifts evacuation order as wildfires let up from wet weather
Chateh residents can breathe a sigh of relief as a wildfire evacuation order is lifted thanks to wet and cooler conditions.
Alberta Wildfire said Dene Tha' First Nation lifted its evacuation order on Tuesday, allowing members to return to the community of Chateh. Residents are advised to remain prepared to evacuate again if conditions worsen.
The community was put under an evacuation order on May 29.
On Monday, Swan Hills lifted its evacuation alert for the community as a nearby wildfire in the Slave Lake forest area is now 'being held.'
Lac La Biche lifted its evacuation alert for southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.
Other communities still under evacuation orders
Several communities remain under evacuation orders as wildfires continue to burn in other parts of the province.
Saddle Hills County's evacuation order now includes everyone located between Township Road 794 and Highway 680 (Township Road 802), and Range Road 95 and Highway 725, as well as the Crown Land north of Township Road 800 and south of the Blueberry Mountain Grazing Reserve. The surrounding areas are still under evacuation alert.
The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council's evacuation orders for Loon Lake 235, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake remain in effect.
Evacuation orders for Red Earth Creek and Chipewyan Lake are also still in place.
Red Earth Creek complex
One of the Red Earth Creek complex fires can be seen on June 3, 2025. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire)
Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is currently closed due to a nearby wildfire.
The County of Grande Prairie lifted its evacuation order, allowing all residents to return home. An evacuation alert remains in place for everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the provincial border with British Columbia to Range Road 132.
Highway 671/Kelly Lake Road at the Alberta-B.C. border to Range Road 130, southwest of Hythe, is now open
Those under an evacuation alert are to be prepared to leave within 30 minutes notice and should have three days worth supplies including food and water.
Residents of Marten Beach and those in the Hawk Hills area should also be prepared to evacuate.
Current wildfire situation
There are currently 58 active wildfires burning in the province, 22 of them are classified as out-of-control. Nine are being held and 26 are under control.
Alberta Wildfire said nine new fires have started in the last 24 hours.
Kiskatinaw River
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire along the B.C.-Alberta border can be seen from the sky in early June. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire)
More than 1,500 firefighters from Alberta, Yukon, B.C., Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Australia, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii and the United States Forest Service are working on containing and extinguishing wildfires throughout the province.
Fire bans
A fire ban is still in effect for the High Level forest area, as well as parts of the Fort McMurray and Calgary forest areas.
The County of Grande Prairie downgraded its fire ban to a fire restriction.
Permitted burning is restricted to approved recreational fire pits, approved burn barrels and propane-fired appliances like barbecues and smokers.
Under a fire ban, all outdoor wood fires, barbecue charcoal briquettes, fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited.
Information on fire bans can be found here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Second death confirmed in Banff rockslide: 'Neither preventable nor predictable'
A rock slide in Banff National Park claimed two lives on Thursday, including a senior woman from Calgary. Article content RCMP and Parks Canada officials said Friday afternoon that their search for victims went on through the night and into the morning at Bow Glacier Falls. Article content Article content The first death was confirmed to be a 70-year-old woman from Calgary, Jutta Hinrichs, while the second hiker's body was recovered early Friday morning. That person had not been identified by Friday afternoon. Article content 'RCMP are notifying their next of kin and no further information is available at this time,' the agencies said in a joint statement. Article content Article content 'At this time, there are no additional persons reported missing and no additional unidentified vehicles at the trailhead located at Bow Lake.' Article content Officials added that three injured hikers taken to hospital by STARS air ambulance and ground ambulance Thursday were all in stable condition. In total, 13 visibly injured visitors or non-injured bystanders were evacuated from the scene. Article content There were ultimately 100 personnel involved in the response effort, including crews from several first response agencies. Article content As part of search efforts, Canada Task Force 2 — a natural disaster response team — conducted infrared flights, through their partners in the Calgary Police Service, to complete a thorough assessment of the area. Article content Meanwhile, a geotechnical engineer from Canada Task Force 2 conducted a slope stability assessment. Article content Article content Francois Masse, Parks Canada superintendent for the Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit, said that assessment revealed the rockfall was caused by natural processes in mountain areas. Article content 'Sadly, this extremely rare event appears to have been neither preventable nor predictable,' he told reporters. Article content 'Parks Canada and the RCMP extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two individuals who lost their lives. Our thoughts also remain with those in hospital and we hope for their full recovery.' Article content Article content The first victim was confirmed as Jutta Hinrichs, a retired occupational therapist from Calgary and a clinical education co-ordinator for the University of Alberta. She was a member of a local hikers group called Slow and Steady Hikers, some of whose members were caught in the rock slide.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Calgary weather: Heavy rain to continue through Saturday
The system over us will continue to drive heavy rain into Calgary through Saturday. It should let up by the supper hours. Then it will be more isolated. 2 The foothills will likely see the most amount of rain with this system. Up to 100 mm of rain possible there. Highway 2 and QEII and east (Calgary included) looking at 40 to 80 mm, plus strong wind gusts. The saturated ground, heavy rain, and strong winds could topple trees and lead to damage and power outages. rain map Sunday and Monday in Calgary, there will be less rain. Isolated showers and thunderstorms possible, and temperatures will slowly start to recover by then.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
More Sask. wildfires evacuees returning home
Watch WATCH: Evacuees from Denare Beach and the Town of Creighton may be able to return home in the next few days while other could be heading home sooner.
