Alberta expecting 'extreme wildfire behaviour' Friday as more communities are evacuated
CTV
Wildfire officials issued an update on the 'very serious' situation parts of central and northern Alberta were in on Friday.
Wildfire officials issued an update on the "very serious" situation parts of central and northern Alberta were in on Friday.
There were 78 active wildfires, 19 of them out of control, when the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and Alberta Wildfire held a news conference in Edmonton at 10:30 a.m.
"This is a rapidly changing situation today. It's early in the day, it's going to get hotter, it's going to get windier, and we're expecting some extreme wildfire behaviour," said Christie Tucker, Alberta Wildfire's information unit manager.
Alberta Wildfire is focusing its efforts on three out-of-control fires: Drayton Valley, Fox Lake, and Rainbow Lake.
Drayton Valley and Fox Lake have been evacuated while the wildfire in the Rainbow Lake area is moving away from the community, Tucker said.
More than 13,000 Albertans have been forced out of their homes this week, Alberta Emergency Management Agency managing director Stephen Lacroix told reporters.
"The situation is very serious," he said. "Please listen to all local officials and obey any evacuation orders you may receive."