Fort McMurray residents told to be ready to evacuate on short notice due to wildfire threat

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Alberta residents in the Fort McMurray area are being told to be ready to leave their homes due to the threat of an out-of-control wildfire in the region.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued an evacuation alert at 6:38 p.m. MT for Fort McMurray and Saprae Creek Estates astheMWF-017 wildfire burnsnearby.

The alert states thefire is southwest of Fort McMurray, and smoke could affect visibility on Highway 63 south of the northern Albertacommunity that was devastated by wildfire in 2016.

An evacuation order has not been issued at this time. Residents are advised to keep essential items like medications, important documentsand emergency kits ready for a quick departure.

Community better prepared than in 2016, say officials

The municipality provided an update onthe situation just before 8 p.m.

Wood Buffalo Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz told media the community is more prepared to deal with wildfires compared to 2016.

"From our experiences, we've continued to recognize that wildfires are the number one hazard in the region. And it's clear our community is prepared and more responsive to that reality,"Butz said.

"When you're dealing with ... the powers of Mother Natureand the forces of wildfire, I'll take any advantage I can get," he said when asked whether the burned area from 2016 could play a factor in battling the currentblaze.

No imminent danger at this time

Butz said the wind is also favourable as it is pushing the fire away from the community. He also said that neither Fort McMurraynorSaprae Creek were in imminent danger, but the municipality issued the alert out of an abundance of caution.

According to Alberta Wildfire's latest update, the wildfire is currently classified asout of controlat 1,000 hectares and is about 16 kilometres away from Fort McMurray. It's located on the south side of the Athabasca River valley and ismoving east.

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The update states the fire danger in the area isextreme and fire restriction remains in effect for the Fort McMurray region.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Alberta Wildfire provincial information officer Melissa Story.

"There is a cold front that's passing through the province, which generated some elevated wind for us today, which made the fire grow," she said.

52 fires burning in Alberta

There are four crews working on the firewith about40 people on the ground, she said.

Three helicopters and air tankers and currently deployed with an additional three more night vision helicopters to be deployed overnight.

"Usually overnight, we see more subdued fire behaviour. And we're hoping that the wind speeds will reduce throughout the overnight activity that we can get the opportunity to get in there and hit it with some water."

Residents in Saprae Creek were put on evacuation alert late last monthfora separate wildfire.

There are currently 52 fires burning across Alberta.