Wildfire forces residents of remote Alberta hamlet to evacuate by boat and plane
CBC
An effort to evacuate an isolated northeastern Alberta community threatened by wildfire is slowly nearing completion as the fight against the flames escalates.
About 1,000 people who live in Fort Chipewyan, 300 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, were told Tuesday to leave their homes but getting everyone out has been hampered by the community's remote location.
In the summer months, after the ice road melts, the hamlet is accessible only by plane or boat.
The evacuation is being done in stages by air and by river. Some people are being flown out to Fort McMurray. Others are travelling by boat, south along the Athabasca River.
In a post to Facebook Wednesday at 2 p.m., the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo urged all remaining residents to leave immediately.
"Conditions are changing very quickly and there is a risk planes may not be able to land or fly safely anymore," the advisory said. "Anyone in Fort Chipewyan must evacuate while there are still flights available."
In a separate update to social media on Wednesday, Kendrick Cardinal, president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis local, said an increasing number of people have made their way to safety.
The evacuation of the community is around 85 per cent complete, he said.
"We've gotten to the point where we're now struggling to fill the planes, which is a good sign," Cardinal said.
He said the fire continues to pose a threat amid dry conditions and escalating winds.
Cardinal said he has heard reports that the fire is encroaching closer to Allison Bay, the community closest to the fire's edge. He said sprinklers are being installed and fire guards are being established, and more firefighters are moving in.
He urged residents to abide the evacuation order and register as required so that leadership knows they made it out.
"Our No. 1 mission is to make sure no one is left behind and everyone is accounted for."
The regional municipality, Mikisew Cree First Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation issued the joint evacuation order and are working together to co-ordinate a response.
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