NJFFSA16
05-21-2002, 05:41 AM
I guess those CANADAIR CL 415's are keeping busy, eh? How many Canadian wildland firefighters are on these forums?
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. (CP) - An unpredictable forest fire left
the status of the main highway into northern Alberta's largest city
a question mark Monday for anyone returning from the long weekend.
Highway 63 into Fort McMurray was opened for a few hours in the
morning, only to be shut down again when the blaze flared.
An alternate route, secondary Highway 881, remained an option
for light passenger vehicles, but many motorists were unwilling to
take the rough road - unpaved for 130 kilometres of its winding
route.
"Traffic's backed up in town," said Nina Gostevskyh, manager
of the Grassland Motel, about 130 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
"I guess everybody is just waiting to hear when the road will open
up again. People are parked at gas stations."
Bob Gartshore, a Fort McMurray resident returning from Red Deer,
Alta., decided to spend the night at the Lac La Biche Inn, about
190 kilometres south of home.
"We're not overly concerned," said Gartshore. "We'll wait
till the road opens. We'll get there when we can."
RCMP and Alberta forestry officials first closed the highway
early Sunday morning as thick smoke made visibility difficult.
The 500 firefighters battling the stubborn blaze, which grew
10,000 hectares Monday to 70,000 hectares, weren't getting much
help from the weather, said Patrick Loewen, a wildfire information
officer with the province.
"Precipitation has been minimal and the winds are changing . .
. which changes the head of the fire."
Crews were using 48 bulldozers, 28 helicopters and three
air-tanker units to fight the fire, about 400 kilometres north of
Edmonton.
Another fire that destroyed a home and a cabin and forced the
evacuation of 70 families Saturday was also still burning near
Smoky Lake, Alta.
The evacuation was lifted and many residents returned home, but
a state of emergency remained and they were told to remain on
self-alert, said Loewen. That means it was up to people to keep an
eye on the situation and leave if necessary.
The fire, burning about 100 kilometres northeast of Edmonton,
had reached about 3,000 hectares and was still regarded as out of
control, he said.
Light rain and cool weather Sunday had helped fighters
temporarily subdue the blaze, but warmer, drier weather Monday
increased concerns of renewed flareups.
"It's not under control yet, but we are hoping it will be later
tonight," Smoky Lake County manager Cary Smigerowsky said late
Monday evening. "It's going well. We're trying to get it
surrounded, but we can't say we have it under control yet."
Smoke from both the fires filled the northern Alberta air.
In Edmonton, a dreary cloud of smoke enveloped the city shortly
before sunset, reducing visibility and prompting local health
official to issue warnings to anyone with respiratory problems.
The Edmonton fire department received more than 250 calls from
city residents concerned there might be a fire in their area.
"We are just swamped," said Platoon Capt. Darrell Payne.
"Everyone thinks their ravine is on fire."
Fire bans remained in place across much of the province Monday
as at least 10 fires were still burning.
The blazes emphasized the high fire hazard that exists in the
province due to extreme dryness. Alberta Sustainable Resources was
asking people to take extra precautions due to the dry conditions.
(Edmonton Sun)
(Copyright 4290 by The Associated Press.
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. (CP) - An unpredictable forest fire left
the status of the main highway into northern Alberta's largest city
a question mark Monday for anyone returning from the long weekend.
Highway 63 into Fort McMurray was opened for a few hours in the
morning, only to be shut down again when the blaze flared.
An alternate route, secondary Highway 881, remained an option
for light passenger vehicles, but many motorists were unwilling to
take the rough road - unpaved for 130 kilometres of its winding
route.
"Traffic's backed up in town," said Nina Gostevskyh, manager
of the Grassland Motel, about 130 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
"I guess everybody is just waiting to hear when the road will open
up again. People are parked at gas stations."
Bob Gartshore, a Fort McMurray resident returning from Red Deer,
Alta., decided to spend the night at the Lac La Biche Inn, about
190 kilometres south of home.
"We're not overly concerned," said Gartshore. "We'll wait
till the road opens. We'll get there when we can."
RCMP and Alberta forestry officials first closed the highway
early Sunday morning as thick smoke made visibility difficult.
The 500 firefighters battling the stubborn blaze, which grew
10,000 hectares Monday to 70,000 hectares, weren't getting much
help from the weather, said Patrick Loewen, a wildfire information
officer with the province.
"Precipitation has been minimal and the winds are changing . .
. which changes the head of the fire."
Crews were using 48 bulldozers, 28 helicopters and three
air-tanker units to fight the fire, about 400 kilometres north of
Edmonton.
Another fire that destroyed a home and a cabin and forced the
evacuation of 70 families Saturday was also still burning near
Smoky Lake, Alta.
The evacuation was lifted and many residents returned home, but
a state of emergency remained and they were told to remain on
self-alert, said Loewen. That means it was up to people to keep an
eye on the situation and leave if necessary.
The fire, burning about 100 kilometres northeast of Edmonton,
had reached about 3,000 hectares and was still regarded as out of
control, he said.
Light rain and cool weather Sunday had helped fighters
temporarily subdue the blaze, but warmer, drier weather Monday
increased concerns of renewed flareups.
"It's not under control yet, but we are hoping it will be later
tonight," Smoky Lake County manager Cary Smigerowsky said late
Monday evening. "It's going well. We're trying to get it
surrounded, but we can't say we have it under control yet."
Smoke from both the fires filled the northern Alberta air.
In Edmonton, a dreary cloud of smoke enveloped the city shortly
before sunset, reducing visibility and prompting local health
official to issue warnings to anyone with respiratory problems.
The Edmonton fire department received more than 250 calls from
city residents concerned there might be a fire in their area.
"We are just swamped," said Platoon Capt. Darrell Payne.
"Everyone thinks their ravine is on fire."
Fire bans remained in place across much of the province Monday
as at least 10 fires were still burning.
The blazes emphasized the high fire hazard that exists in the
province due to extreme dryness. Alberta Sustainable Resources was
asking people to take extra precautions due to the dry conditions.
(Edmonton Sun)
(Copyright 4290 by The Associated Press.