2 weeks and a heat dome later: Where does Alberta wildfire situation stand?

It's been two weeks since out-of-control wildfires began forcing evacuation orders in parts of Alberta and the situation remains critical.

It’s been two weeks since out-of-control wildfires began forcing evacuation orders in parts of Alberta and the situation remains critical.

“The wildfire situation is extremely volatile,” said Colin Blair with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency on Sunday afternoon.

“Our crews have had the opportunity to build fire guards and…  for the vast majority, those are holding,” said Josee St-Onge, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire.

“We are expecting challenging conditions to continue and that will be the case for the next few days as the hot and dry conditions persist.”

It was on April 30 that parts of Yellowhead County west of Edmonton were ordered to evacuate because of a wildfire threatening the community. Dozens of homes have since been destroyed in Wildwood, Shining Bank and Evansburg areas.

On May 3, thousands of residents of Fox Creek in northern Alberta were forced to flee the flames. Roughly 100 structures were burned there.

Then, on May 5, Edson, a town west of Edmonton, was evacuated.

A provincial state of emergency was declared on Saturday, May 5.